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Janice Collins

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Janice Collins

Place of birth: Milwaukee, WI

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Janice was born October 29, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Nicholas J. Wisner and Joan M. Wisner (Dettlaff). She was the fifth of six children: Florence, Edwin, Joan, Nicholas and James. In 1961, Jan met the love of her life, Clifton, at Jack and Jill Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan. They married on May 26, 1962. Over the next six years, they were blessed with five children: Mary Jan, Laurel Lee, Cynthia Rose, Holly Joy and Clifton Leon Jr. They lived in Milwaukee and then Greendale until July of 1979, when they packed the family into a Chrysler station wagon and drove west. They settled in Arizona where Jan went to work in the Finance Department at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. She worked there for ten years until retiring in 1990. She was then able to begin her more enjoyable “second career.” Spending time with and taking care of her grandchildren ~ Rebecca Rae, Karl Clifton, Alyssa Rachel, Craig Steven, Savannah Rae, Leonardo Ray and Delaney Rose ~ was one of her most favorite things to do. She was thrilled to become a great grandmother when Troy Michael was born, followed three years later by Owen Jeffrey.

Jan knew: love is a verb. Her life was one filled with intentional presence in the moment and a constant process of connection, communication and action. She lived and loved with a huge heart, a vibrant spirit, and was the light of the Collins family. Her 52-year marriage to Cliff was a constant and magnificent example of true love ~ selfless and unconditional. Together they created a happy family life which extended to include many informally “adopted” children and grandchildren. Jan had an innate sense of truth, of how to love fully and pour that love into all aspects of her life. She had a way of making people feel like they truly mattered and that what you had to say was important enough to stop whatever she was doing and really listen. She was the kindest of teachers, never hesitating to tell you if there was something you needed to hear. She’d set you straight with her special brand of wisdom, always in the most loving and considerate way. She had a way of instilling the hope of a better way and a brighter day ahead in those fortunate enough to have been touched by her friendship. Jan loved music ~ everything from the nursery rhymes that she taught to her children and grandchildren to singing hilarious duets with Cliff, to raising her voice in faith-filled song of praise. She loved her church and her God. And she knew with every certainty where she was headed after her work here on earth was finished. We are all so very blessed to have shared in her precious life and to call her ours.

Funeral Notice Detail

A funeral mass in celebration of the life of Janice M. Collins will be held on her birthday (details below), with a reception immediately following at the home of Jennifer and Jason Knight. Maps to the reception will be available at the church.      

A Memorial Service will be held at

Saint Thomas More Catholic Church

6180 West Utopia Road

Glendale , AZ 85308

On: Oct 29, 2014 — At: 1:30 PM

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