“Therefore, as God’s Chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12
We are here for what at the end of the day is only a short period of time, Inez Ruth Collie (nee Muller) was called home in the early hours of Monday, May 3rd, 2021. When we come into this world, we have no idea how this journey will play out and so much of the journey depends on where you were born, who your family is and who you surround yourself with as we grow and advance thru the various stages of life.
For Inez, her journey started in a city that doesn’t exist anymore, she was born in a hospital that doesn’t exist any longer, she attended a rural school that also doesn’t exist any longer, but she grew up on Mountain Road and the property is still in the family name.
She started work at a young age looking for her independence, enjoying time at The Sole Shop, Belluz Farms during strawberry season and performing night auditor duties at the Alpine Hotel, living in a loft apartment on Archibald Street. Then she moved to Winnipeg to join her sister and brother-in-law at a recently opened Robin’s Donuts store. This turned out to be a pivotal moment in her life, opening the door to self-employment and meeting, James her soul mate of more than 40 years.
Together they moved to Saskatoon opening their first Robin’s store, which Inez operated for many years. Her children, Paul and Stacey were born there as the business expanded. Inez stepped back from the day-to-day function as her children came along, focusing on being a mother, but still keeping an eye on things and being a key advisor and support. Then surprisingly the decision was made to move back to Thunder Bay in 1990, a place she felt she would never return to live, settling in the Slate River Valley. And here Inez put all her skills to work, in her quiet way.
She volunteered at the Thunder Bay Christian School, while her children attended, serving on committees and helping in the library. Probably her favourite times were donut days treating the entire school to fresh donuts. As her children grew and started school in the city, Inez continued being involved driving them and their friends many days to and from school, something she truly loved doing. She enjoyed this drive time listening to all the conversations and sometimes hearing their inner thoughts, she felt she could be the fly on the wall. Every so often she was asked a question or got to comment on something that she hoped made them think a little deeper or maybe open their eyes to a slightly different perspective. Probably some days the drive home took a little longer or the route home wasn’t quite as direct as it should have been, as Inez was enjoying the moment and didn’t want it to end.
During this time, she became more active in her church, serving as Sunday School Coordinator, as the first woman elected to office, being involved in much of the church life and loving her church family. During the building of the new sanctuary, she joined the crew helping the masonry work, volunteering each morning and learning the art of mixing mortar. These days soon became full days when James struggled to do his afternoon shifts. During this time Bob said that he had never had such consistent batches of mortar mixed time after time with Inez on the job. After laying the last brick in the fall the Hoogsteen Brothers actually hired her for the balance of the season, where she continued mixing mortar on several house projects becoming the Mudmaster. She sorted clothes at the Mary-Go-Round here in the valley, then for Twice as Nice Thrift Store, she volunteered at the Shelter House and helped out at the Gathering Place. With all these activities she especially loved the time she could spend with the children and others who were seeking comfort. Her gentle spirit and compassion to provide a kind word or knowing smile was always on display. During this time, she donated plasma over 150 times. Her compassion and kindness were there for anyone in need.
Always with a love of nature and all things green she worked on developing her flower gardens at home, leading to them being featured 2 years in the Thunder Bay Art Gallery Garden Tour. She loved sharing, splitting and giving away plants and having others visit fully believing as she was told by a wise gardener years earlier that a garden is truly at its best when you can share and give portions of it away. However, she always wondered if her garden and yard measured up to the Gardener Standards to be included in the Tour, but saying that they were her gardens and were for her pleasure first. Just this past Friday, she had Stacey out with her checking on the first sprouts of spring making sure they were uncovered and were able to get up out of the ground.
She did some commercial garden work at several businesses in the City, employing her nieces and others to assist her. She loved how her work could bring smiles and joy to others with the beauty in these gardens. Just as much, she loved spending time with these young teens talking and listening to what was happening in their lives. She especially loved planting things in those business gardens that not only gave beauty but provided produce, especially potatoes, which were always a big surprise for others when she harvested them. Even in Tucson she planted and nurtured flowers at her home, she especially liked again planting potatoes and telling her dad in April that we had just enjoyed our first new potatoes of the season.
She certainly had a passion for young kids, maybe starting in herself when she was a young child playing goalie on an all-boys hockey team. She always seemed to find a way to connect and make children feel safe and open up to her. Whether it was with a kind word or pretending to not remember their name and calling a little girl “George” which carried on to today. Making chocolates was especially fun for her and there were countless kids that spent time in her kitchen learning how to use molds and make these little treats for themselves and to take home. She enjoyed picking out postcards and mailing them, especially to kids, along with stickers. Each postcard she sent had her trademark little ant sticker hiding somewhere on it, whether it was to the young or old. There was always lots of kids around playing in the yard at our house and they were always treated like her own. Many probably remember sitting down for supper having tacos and thought that’s all the Collies ever had for dinner. There were always crafts to be made or a big box of clothes, wigs and all fun things for them to dress up in. She had a special box of rubber balls that could be taken and bounced all over the house which provided much fun and many smiles and giggles. It often took days to find them all and gather them up for the next time.
Inez and James enjoyed travelling, or maybe it was more that Inez tolerated James’s adventures agreeing to be part of many unconventional destinations, including travelling thru the Northwest Passage, visiting an open pit coal mine in Nanango or down the Rio Coco River in a dug out for days sleeping in a hammock. Then from Helsinki, Beijing, Sydney, Fogo Island, Rotorua, Ilulisatt, Grise Fiord, Prague, L’Anse Aux Meadows, Santiago, Granada, and numerous places in Canada & US. She fully enjoyed the opportunity to visit many special places around the globe. It was special having the opportunity to take in several World Junior Hockey Tournaments. Seeing Canada win the championship in Czech Republic was certainly an exciting time. But Inez’s favourite hockey trip was Ufa, Russia and of course it was the people that made it special for her. Even with the challenge of a different language, she enjoyed the time spent with locals. Many of these trips included Paul, Stacey and Emily which created wonderful family memories.
For many years Inez enjoyed hosting Border Cats baseball players, her boys, which included attending many games. Inez would always lay down the house rules when each one arrived, which probably scared them all a little on that first day. But they soon learned that though the rules were important and to be followed, Inez quickly became their Away from Home Mom. Protective and supportive, but as usual she would learn many inside details of their nights out and what happened on team trips, I’m sure more than they would tell their own parents. Many of these players have stayed in touch over the years, with several including us in family events back home.
Inez starting using the Foot Pictures as her profile picture on facebook many years ago, which could include an outdoor scene or travel destination. They always generated many comments which she enjoyed reading. She never lacked for interesting shots. Her life’s story could almost be followed in these pictures. They would make an interesting coffee table book with the story behind each picture and what was involved in creating some of them.
There were a number of house concerts hosted on her back deck, starting the year of her and James’ 25th wedding anniversary. It was so much fun that they became a regular event. Amazingly it never rained on these evenings. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful setting on her back deck surrounded by her gardens. An evening of friends, music and the sharing of food, a time of community and fellowship which brought everyone together for a great big party. These nights were truly loved by Inez.
During the last number of years Inez had been able to winter in Tucson, where she greatly enjoyed the climate and the opportunity to hike and spend time on the trails in the area. Of course, she had flowers and gardens that she nurtured but she loved the numerous wild flowering shrubs, cacti and trees. She loved her home there and hosting numerous visitors, spending the evenings with friends on the patio watching the sunset. She especially loved having Paul and Stacey visit, as well as members of her family come, enjoying the time talking and relaxing in the warm evenings. There she had a warm welcoming church family and many close friends.
The last couple of years had been more challenging as Inez fought a battle with the weakening of her body from als. She was able to continue to model grace and compassion during this trying time. She researched constantly leading to a greater understanding of health and how to detox, trying to build up her body with God’s resources and healthy practices. She developed a vast understanding of best practices and made contact with numerous others, always willing to share her knowledge and give them hope. What helped her through this journey was knowing that this life is temporary and that the best is yet to come. We all die someday, but we who are followers of Christ know that someday our body dies and we pass to eternal life in heaven. Inez believed and was comforted by her faith. During this time, she continued to be positive, rarely complaining, continuing to live and finding a way to enjoy each day. She continued to be an impressive role model for inspiration and trying to live a better life.
The fact is this terrible disease did not take Inez’s life, she weathered the storm, fought the good fight and was released from her earthly body. She did not suffer as her heart simply stopped. The race was finished. Her journey done. Please do not say … “she lost the battle” for indeed ….. SHE WON!
Pre-deceased by her parents Jan and Ruth Muller (Ypma), brother-in-law Robert “Punk” Young. Inez is lovingly remembered by her husband James, children Paul and Stacey. Along with her siblings Teresa Young, Paul (Trudy) Muller, Alec (Cheryl) Muller, Jodi Hill, Gerry (Cheryl) Muller with numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.
Special thanks to Dr Andrea Shepard, Dr Erik Vose of Tucson, the Team at Thunder Bay Naturopathic Clinic and staff, Angie Girvin and Rachel Audette with Partners in Rehab, the Team at Motion, the ACP team at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, the staff at St Joseph Care Group Respiratory Department, Constable Derek Charlton of Thunder Bay Police, Constable Greg Huitsing, and Captain Jamie Freemantle and the Oliver Paipoonge Emergency Response Team, Janice Groenheide and to Greg Sargent and staff at Blake Funeral Chapel. Along with others who assisted and helped in this journey.
We graciously appreciate and are thankful for Inez’s siblings and spouses for their numerous visits, calls and messages over this challenging time of the last few years, know that she loved you all very much and treasured each one of you.
Inez’s took incredible pride in the children, Paul and Stacey, she was especially grateful that she was able to be there every day as you turned in to young adults. She loved seeing each of you rise to new challenges and become independent, perusing your dreams and things that were important to you. She was always tickled when you would come to the house on a Sunday evening to watch Funniest Home Videos with her or more at her most evening. Along with the times when you made a visit to Tucson and she could share her mountains with you. You both have so many of your Mothers qualities, she touched your soul. She loved that you were both so close to her and have shared your journeys with her. She will live long in your memories and actions; you were so loved and treasured. Continue your journey knowing she is there singing “You are my Sunshine”
We also want to extend special Thanks to Pastor Robert Hoekstra, the entire Hope Christian Reformed Church Family, and the numerous close friends and families that have been there supporting Inez during the last few challenging years. Also, Jenny, Shirley, Jenny (Sis), and Cathy for providing lunch following the service last Thursday, it was all very suiting and fitting to Inez. I’m sure it would have brought a smile to her face; she loved each one of you like a sister.
Due to gathering restrictions a Family interment has taken place at Stanley Hill Cemetery, there is hope and optimism that a Celebration will be held at a later date this summer/fall.
Donations can be made to The Gathering Place or The Underground Gym and Youth Centre, both located in Thunder Bay and were very close to Inez’s heart.
Inez’s last request is for you to ….
”Be Kind and show Compassion to others in your life each day.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Inez Collie 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Thunder Bay, Province: Ontario