Aline Gust Collins

Aline Gust Collins, 79, passed away July 13, 2016 at MD Anderson Hospital. Aline was born April 3, 1937 in Houston at Heights Hospital. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Joseph and Margaret Mary Metz Gust. She is also preceded in death by her Brothers, Thomas, Eugene, Francis, Raymond, and Alfred (her twin) Gust. Her sisters, Margaret Devore, Catherine Mihills and Josephine Blackshear.

Aline was a twin. She was born first and that would set the stage for her entire life. She was always first to help others when they needed her. Aline’s huge Catholic family played an important role throughout her remarkable, full life. She squeezed every second from the time she spent on this earth. In high school she was an awesome twirler in the Aldine Mustang Marching Band. She married her husband Clyde while still in high school. She shared his love of family and his desire to just have fun. They spent their early years racing “souped-up” Chevy’s, eating at Prince’s Drive Inn, Swimming at Hot Wells and going to Playland Park. They raised 3 children. Aline spent her days taking care of the children and working part-time at Star Engraving making Miniature High School Diplomas. Aline and Clyde’s home was the gathering place for many, many family gatherings. Aline had a gift of making everyone feel welcome and of course her great cooking was a bonus. It was once said that Aline could make an “old dish towel” taste good. She so relished in having her friends and her big, noisy, unpredictable family in her home. Aline’s table always had room for a few more people. That would become a pattern throughout her life. Every Holiday there would be a few extra people at the table, any friend or relative and sometimes, even people she had just met. Aline never knew a stranger. She could charm anyone. Her laugh was contagious.

Please don’t think she was a “saint”. If she was angry you would know it. She could come up with some “colorful” language and you would just desire to run. She could put you in your place and you would understand. You always knew where you stood with Aline because she would tell you. She was a “tell it like it is” person. Just tell her the truth. She was also a fierce competitor, she played fast-pitch softball into her forties and had 3 knee surgeries as a result of sliding into bases. She loved to play poker, Bingo and the slots in Louisiana and Las Vegas.

Aline is easy to describe, a 4’11’ “Unsinkable Molly Brown” type. She never sat on the sideline in Life. She was right in the middle of the action and she loved it. She was a fearless, fun, feisty, unabashed optimistic, force of nature. She could work circles around people half her age. Aline was a faithful, loving wife and a mother any child would want. She was so loyal to her family. She took care of sick relatives, cooked meals and sat at the hospital when others had surgery. You could always count on Aline.

Aline talked to her children several times a day. She so loved her grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews. She accepted her first cancer diagnosis with absolutely no fear. She knew she could conquer it. And she did. For 13 years she battled Melanoma, Kidney and Breast Cancer and she just kept moving forward. Neighbors would continue to see the crimson-colored Buick make the block and she would stop and talk. Same Aline. She spent her days going to Clinic and then going to lunch. Would it be Pappadeaux’s or Longhorn Steakhouse or maybe the Barbecue Inn? She had her favorite friends at each place. She looked forward to her trips to HEB and Walmart. Everyone that worked there knew Aline. They were inspired by her. She continued to cook and work in her yard with Clyde. Aline had such a green thumb. Her flower gardens were simply beautiful. She loved to walk around in the yard and show off her roses or her new half-dead discounted flower that she had brought back to life. While in the hospital, her first great granddaughter was born. She was so excited and she took her cellphone and called various friends and family with the joyous news. She continued to be herself almost to the end.

The family would like to thank all of the dedicated and hard-working employees at MD Anderson. Thank you to the Palliative Care Team for your support and compassion. The family also would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to Aline’s Second family, the Melanoma Team who gave her 13 great, additional years – Dr. Merrick

Ross (Aline’s hero), Brian, Rebecca, Effie and Kristen.

Aline is survived by her loving husband of 0f 60 years– Clyde Edward Collins, Sr.; her devoted daughter, Carrie and her husband Jimmie Schindewolf, her loving son, Clyde Edward Collins, Jr. (Ed) , her loving son Jeffrey Allen Collins and his wife, Karen and their family –(Aline’s pride and joy) Major Brandon Michael Collins and his wife Melissa and their children Brooks Michael and Claire Jean (born July 6, 2016) and (special in heart) Caroline and Katelyn Corrigan. Aline is also survived by her cherished sister Elizabeth Henderson and her “Little” Brother Joseph Gust and wife Beverly. Brothers-in-Law Robert Blackshear and Horace Collins. Numerous nieces and nephews (who she considered her children also) and many friends.

Aline’s Funeral Service- Visitation – Monday, July 18, 2016 5 to 8 pm, Funeral Service, Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – 10:30 am at the Funeral Home. Escorted procession to Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038 for Interment.