Jane (Morris) Collins

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Collins, Jane (nee Morris) Jane Collins passed away peacefully on December 28, 2007 at the Jones Harrison Residence. Janie, as she was affectionately called, was born on March 24, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to Maxine Elliot and James W. Morris. She was preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, James T. Lawlor. Janie will be dearly missed by her devoted husband, Tom; and sons, Michael, Mark (Melissa) and Marty. She also leaves behind granddaughters, Lauren and Dylan; nephews, Tom (Miriam) Collins and Bruce Collins; and brother-in-law, Gerald Collins. Having been raised in Atlanta, Janie began her life as a true Southern Belle. She was accomplished in ballet and the gentler arts of conversation and etiquette and from this foundation succeeded in becoming Miss Georgia, thus representing her state in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in 1956. This led to one of her great adventures in life, that of skating for the touring show, Holiday on Ice. She and her skating partner, Alfredo Mendoza, were the Adagio Stars of the show. Janie and Alfredo also worked with the artistic staff at Cypress Gardens in Florida, creating balletic routines that could be possible on water skis. Her skating career with Holiday on Ice took her around the United States, Mexico and Cuba, and led her to the next phase of her life, that of wife and mother. During this exciting time, she met, was courted by, and married the man who became her life partner, her husband, Tom; and together they had three children. There was very little that Janie would not do for her children, or for that matter, any other child or person. She was an attentive and tenderhearted mother who had an endless capacity for love, and was not afraid to show it. Janie had the ability to make anyone feel special, whatever their standing in life. And this, combined with her great sense of humor and fairness, endeared her to everyone that she met. Although in her heart, she knew that she was truly a Georgia Peach, in 1971 Jane did move to the North with her husband Tom, and their family to the city of Minneapolis. She became a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, and was a devout Christian. Some of her greatest comforts were the conversations that she had with friends from the clergy, and she lived her life according to her convictions. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church, 5071 Eden Avenue, Edina, MN 55436, on Saturday, January 5th at 12:00 Noon. Visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery following a private family service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The USFSA Memorial Fund, c/o U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on January 3, 2008