Dorothy Evelyn Collins

Born on October 27, 1933, in Easton, California, to Johanna and Alfred Nielsen. She was the youngest of four children, sisters Marie and Ruth, brother, Walter (Sonny). They lived on the small family farm in a Danish community of Easton. Her father worked at Danish Creamery which was the perfect job since both Johanna and Alfred emigrated as teenagers from Denmark. It was a great connection to their heritage.

Tragedy struck their family when Dorothy was nine years old. Her father was riding his bicycle home from work when he was struck by a drunken driver and killed. Dorothy's mother had never worked and was left with Sonny (16 at the time) and Dorothy to raise on her own. She sold the family farm and got a job doing what she knew best, cooking. She worked at a Lutheran Retirement Home in Easton where she was given wages and a room. Sonny enlisted in the Navy so it was Dorothy and her mother who moved to the Retirement Home. She helped her mother with the cooking, serving and cleaning-up of meals. It was a bit odd when she had friends over! Not many kids live in a retirement home!

Times were tough — they didn't have a lot of money. Johanna was determined to make sure Dorothy had what other kids had, nice clothing, good meals, a warm home. Johanna was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful dresses for Dorothy. She commented many times on how lovely her clothing was while she was growing up. Dotted swiss was her favorite material!

She attended Selma High School and it's there where she met her husband, Levoy. In school, both Dorothy and Levoy were popular and active in various clubs, organizations, and sports. They graduated in 1951 and married in 1952.

In June 1953, they welcomed their firstborn, David. Levoy enlisted into the Air Force and while overseas in the Korean War, Dorothy and David moved to a military base in Illinois.

After fulfilling his military obligation, Levoy, Dorothy, and David moved back to Selma. They made a brief move to Cayucus, California but returned to Selma by 1957.

In March 1956 another tragedy struck. Her sister, Ruth, drowned in a boating accident in Santa Cruz at the age of 33. Ruth left behind three children, Dorothy's nephews Howard (Corky), Lee, and a niece, Debby.

In February 1957 their second child, Donna was born. Their marriage didn't last long after Donna's birth. They divorced approximately one year later.

At this point, Dorothy was left with two children to raise on her own. Johanna moved in to help take care of Dave and Donna and to help them financially. They all moved to Fresno to be near her sister, Marie, and her family, husband Leo, sons Donald and Stephen.

In 1962, Dorothy went to work as a PBX operator for Cook's Communication. Dave was in the 3rd grade, Donna in Kindergarten. Johanna took complete care of them so Dorothy could work. She didn't own a car and had to be at work at 6:00 AM. In order to make it to work on time, she left home at 2:30 a.m., walking several blocks to catch a city bus, taking 2-3 transfers to downtown Fresno, then walking another several blocks to get to work. She was never given any paid sick time and the most vacation she was allowed to accrue was 2 weeks per year. She always took the whole two weeks in August where she and the kids went to Stockton to visit Marie and Leo who moved due to Leo's employment. This remained consistent throughout most of her life until her beloved sister Marie passed away in September 2006. She went to work sick, excusing herself from the switchboard to throw-up! I have to mention this because it's such a part of who Dorothy was she never called in sick. She had the strongest work ethic and she also couldn't afford to not be paid if she called in sick!

In 1964 Johanna passed away and Dorothy was left alone to take care of an 11 year old and 7 year old. Way before "Latchkey" kids were common. She couldn't afford a babysitter. Dave had to become the man of the house and take care of Donna. Somehow they managed but it wasn't easy.

After Dave and Donna left home she decided it was time to find employment elsewhere. A place with paid sick leave and retirement plans. She was hired at Fresno Community Hospital as a PBX Operator. She worked 13 years before she earned enough seniority to get weekends and holidays off.

Work was her life! She never spoke about retiring and when asked she'd always say "And do what? Sit in my chair and watch television all day?" I'm going to work until I can't get up and go any longer. The more money I make, the more I can help my family.

She worked at the Hospital until they reorganized and unexpectedly laid her off at the age of 76! That's when life took a turn in the wrong direction for her. If I didn't mention this, it would not capture who Dorothy was.

She had a short illness about 3 years ago with kidney failure but rallied back and seemed to be doing well until May 2013. Her kidney's failed again and this time, dialysis would be a permanent trip every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

She lived for her family and helping her kids, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She wouldn't spend much on herself but was generous beyond belief to her family!

She had a special relationship with Cledy Ellis who passed away about 6 years ago. She's missed him dearly and we know they're together, in good health, enjoying themselves, no worries, no pain!

Dorothy was blessed with 3 grandchildren Amy, Nick and Diane. She took special pride in her 5 great grandchildren starting with Hunter who is 13 years old. Amy surprised everyone including herself when she had triplets Cole, Chase and Cameron 9 years ago. The youngest of her great grandchildren is Remmi who just turned one. She was fortunate enough to see her great grandchildren a few days before she passed. She's also survived by Dave's wife, her daughter-in-law Susan, and Donna's husband, son-in-law Bill. Both daughter-in-law and son-in-law spent a great deal of time in her last month's making her as comfortable as possible.

We will think of her when we see cooking shows on T.V. since most recently this was one her favorite past times. She was very particular about being in command of her remote control. Her great granddaughter Remmi knew how to push grandma's buttons by taking advantage of an unattended remote and change the channel to cartoons at every opportunity.

Grandma was a big fan of hot dogs and potatoes which were forbidden on her diet yet she managed to sneak them in every now and then. In the past month she had quite the sweet tooth for candy from her youth. We were on the search for Lady Fingers, Boston Baked Beans, Crackerjacks and Necco's waifers. We were finally able to find some Necco's after searching for several weeks which mom enjoyed. After her passing we were surprised to discover boxes and boxes of them in every store we visit.

Even when she was very ill she continued to be generous and hopeful for a day when she would get better.

Visitation will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm.

Celebration of Life at Lisle Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Washington Colony Cemetery.