Teri Joan Collins

Teri Joan Collins, 58, of Clinton Township, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 9, 2021.  Teri was born April 24, 1962 to the late John and Joan (McPike) Rudnicki.  Together with their father, David Clouse, she raised two beautiful sons in their little home full of love in Clinton Township. 

She worked as an LPN in the emergency room at St. John Oakland Hospital for over 20 years. During her time at the hospital, Teri was blessed to share a special bond with her coworkers, a bond that held them together like family. Within that circle of friends there was one that stood above the rest, one with whom she worked with for many years at the hospital. Friendship turned to family,…and family into romance,…and soon the two lovebirds were preparing to share a lifetime together as husband & wife. So it is that on April 2, 2016, Teri promised herself in marriage to James Watson Collins, and their “loving ever-after” was well on its way.                 

Teri’s career as a nurse spilled over into her personal life, as she became a caregiver and provider in every sense of the word. She selflessly gave from within and would do whatever she could to help those around her,…even when she didn’t have much left for herself. Teri’s underlying strength came from her deep and abiding faith in God, and in her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.                        

Teri lived for her sons, Tyler and Charley.  Whether it was a basketball game, soccer game, football game, or parade with the marching band, she never missed an opportunity to cheer on and support her boys. Many nights she braved the elements, with her own mother in tow, to watch her boys participate in their sporting events and play their instruments,…and there never was a mother as proud as Teri.  

Teri loved preparing her homemade dishes, cooking skills that were passed down from her loving and talented mother. She loved her family vacations to Walt Disney World, and was all about making memories.  As much as she loved her destination vacations, nothing could beat the “Piece of Paradise” she shared with her beloved Jim at their cottage in Port Austin,…which just happened to be a few doors down from her own grandparents’ cottages where she spent countless summers as a child. During their summers in Port Austin, Teri & Jim played host to several family members and friends nearly every weekend. Teri loved nothing more than spending time with her loved ones, especially when those precious moments were shared with her grandchildren,…the apples of her eye. It was the Best of Times, in her own little paradise doing what she loved, making memories.

A mother, a nurse, a Fur Mama,…is there any question that Teri was destined to love and care in a most unique way? God formed her to feel, to empathize, and to make a difference,…and that she surely did. Though she leaves us far too soon, it is certainly not without imparting the best of herself into every heart and life she touched. She lived the life of a servant, and was extremely generous in every way. Her capacity to love and extend herself was a direct result of the compassion that enveloped her soul. That compassion could hug away all the hurt and give you an assurance that God was in control. At work, at home, or simply at play, Teri touched a multitude of hearts and souls as she journeyed this side of Heaven,…may she now enjoy the blessings on the other side as she rests safely in the arms of God. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally.

We celebrate the gift of Teri, and the gift of God, Jesus Christ, that will allow us to be reunited with her in “The Resurrection.”

Teri was preceded in death by her parents, John and Joan. Teri was the beloved wife of Jim Collins.  Loving mother of Tyler (Chelsea) and Charley. Loving supporter and friend to Jim’s children, Nicole (Kevin) Dolan and Jeremy (Jessica) Collins. Loving grandma to Brianna, Caitlin, Aiden, Elsa, and James.  Cherished GramaTeri to Jackson and Noah.  Loving sister of Patricia (Charles) Hornick, Gary (Kim) Rudnicki, John (Shannon) Rudnicki, and Jackie (Glen) Madacki.  Beloved niece to Carol “Cookie” Hammond.  She was Aunt Teri to many nieces and nephews. And last, but certainly not least, a list of Teri’s loved ones just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her precious Fur Babies, the puppies who were so much a part of her life, Jack, Buster & Dixie, her canine companions that comforted her in challenging times,...rejoiced with her in happy times,...and are all now with her in their Heavenly Home, together. 

Teri will lie in state on Friday from 10:00 am until time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 37635 Dequindre Road in Troy. Her Committal Service & Burial will immediately follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 36105 Twenty Four Mile Road in New Baltimore, Michigan.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the Beagle Freedom Project, 4804 Laurel Canyon Blvd., #534, Valley Village, CA, 91607  (www.bfp.org)

Please share memories of Teri at her guest book below.