Jil Collier

1952 - 2015

Jil Collier, 63, warmly known as Mrs. Robinson throughout an accomplished teaching career in Bloomfield Public Schools, passed away on September 4, 2015. Born April 6, 1952 to Mary and Dudley Collier, Jil grew up in Billerica, MA, lived in Suffield, CT and settled in Westfield, N.Y. Jil graduated from Lesley College in Cambridge, M.A. and Southern Connecticut State University with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. She devoted 38 years to teaching children. She began her career as a special education teacher in the Upper School at the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in N.H. for two years and then served in various teaching and supervisory roles for 36 years in Bloomfield Public Schools, including Metacomet, J.P. Vincent, Laurel Elementary Schools, and Big Picture and Bloomfield High Schools. She was one of the first teachers to pilot all-day kindergarten in CT, a model now in existence for more than 30 years. Jil was nominated by her school for the Teacher of the Year Award numerous times, awarded Bloomfield Teacher of the Year in 2010, and became a Connecticut Teacher of the Year Semifinalist in 2010. Jil had a notable passion and excitement for people, animals, and life. Her interests were many; photography, fiber crafts, creating, drawing, reading, writing…as she always said "jack of all trades, master of none, and still learning." Jil loved being outside catching sunrises and sunsets, "yardening" in her flower and vegetable gardens, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. To those who knew Jil best she was a free spirit who would go to extraordinary lengths to help her students and families. The seeds that she planted will continue to grow and spread like wildflowers. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered by many. She leaves the following on Earth, although not spiritually, her 103-year-old mother, Mary Collier of Bloomfield, CT, brother Robert Collier of Winnetka, CA, friend and companion Andy Card, cousins and family, many friends and colleagues, and over 1,000 former students. She will also be remembered by her former husband Michael Robinson, his family, and their mutual friends. A private gathering will take place at her mother's residence at Seabury in Bloomfield. For all those whose lives she touched, there will be a Celebration of Jil's life at Vito's on the Water in Windsor on Saturday, October 17, 2015, 12:00 - 5:00. In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to Crotched Mountain Foundation, One Verney Drive, Greenfield, NH 03047 for the Jill Collier Special Education Teacher Scholarship Fund.