Obituary of Ellen Collins
Ellen Rosemary Collins (Jackson), passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 28, 2022, at Providence Care Hospital in her 89th year. Daughter of Ernest and Barbara (Budd) Jackson, sister of Keith (deceased), Hugh (deceased), Ray (deceased), Graham(deceased), Alan, Shirley, and Lois. Loving wife of 59 years of Stanley Albert Collins (deceased), proud mother of Mark, Greg, John, and Blair, and mother-in-law to Karen and Sandra. Beloved grandmother of Emily, Alissa, Alexis, Ashley, Tevin, Jerica, and Kalin. Ellen was a teacher and Girl Guide Captain before marriage and continued after marriage. Upon becoming pregnant with her first child, she stayed home for 25 years to raise four challenging sons, as well as support and be beside her husband Stanley as he built a thriving business and became a well-respected member of the business community in Kingston. Supporting her four sons as they grew and became involved in many activities such as horses, music, backyard mechanics, and computers, she kept the home happy, healthy and balanced with her calm and quiet but great strength. As someone who cared deeply about children and their development, she became a school board trustee, while her youngest son was still in the secondary school system. When the last child left home for university, she went back to school and earned her Early Childhood Education Certificate, opened a daycare center attached to the local high school, and then went on to become a certified teacher within the Waldorf School System. Working with other Waldorf teachers she was one of the founders of the Mulberry Waldorf School in Kingston and spent many days teaching and working with children. As she often would say some of her happiest and proudest moments, outside of her family and husband’s activities, were to see young children blossom and grow as they moved through the Waldorf school. As the mother of four active boys, she was always up for the challenge of playing a game of baseball, skating on the lake in winter, climbing on a horse, jumping in the lake for a swim, or climbing into a tent for the night on one of the many family camping trips. She greatly enjoyed spending time outside and in the garden at the family home, and in her later years would often walk the property taking in the sights and sounds of nature. With the passing of her husband Stanley, she moved into the Waterford Retirement Home and became an active member of the Seniors Residence board, as well as partaking in the many activities of the center. It was there that she rekindled her love of painting and poetry and would often have her poems and paintings posted within the facility.
An informal visitation will take place at the James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Boulevard on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 6 pm to 8 pm. A service will be held in James Reid Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Waldorf Mulberry Kingston school by e-transfer to finance@mulberrywaldorfschool.ca or charities that benefit children.
Those unable to attend the funeral service in person can join by video by clicking HERE
