Alsace Lorraine Albin Collier

1918 - 2011

Alsace Lorraine Albin Waddell Collier died peacefully Sunday morning, Dec. 11, 2011, during her 93rd year. Celebration of life: Please join the family in celebrating Lorraine's life at 2 p.m. Sunday at Colonial Country Club, 3735 Country Club Circle, Fort Worth. Memorials: Consideration of contributions to the Children's Education Program at First United Methodist Church of Arlington, in her memory, is suggested. Named for the region in France where her uncle was fighting during World War I, Lorraine was born Jan. 8, 1918. She lived her life full speed ahead. Lorraine attended the University of Texas at Austin, interrupted by a military marriage to Earl Waddell Jr. After the war, the family returned to Texas, raising three children in Handley where she was actively involved in the community. She served many years as PTA president, with church membership at Handley Methodist, sponsoring annual bus trips for teenage friends to the State Fair in Dallas and taught her children and their friends to water ski. As a new challenge, she learned to fly at age 51. After obtaining her pilot's certificate, Lorraine flew several cross-country trips as a member of the 99's, a women's flying organization. She began snow skiing at age 64 to be with her children and grandchildren and celebrated her 80th birthday on new skis enjoying the slopes of Colorado. Lorraine was an accomplished seamstress and was one of 35 national finalists in the 1958 Singer Grand National Sew-Off contest culminating in a display window demonstration in New York City. She was a proud seamstress of wedding dresses for her daughter, Jan, and daughters-in-law, Sue and Virginia. Continuing her love for design and textiles, Lorraine spent six months in Paris, France, studying art and design. Returning from Paris she began her modeling career with Neiman Marcus when she was 60. Lorraine married Robert "Bud" Collier in 1982. The Colliers resided happily in Pantego for more than 20 years. Survivors: In addition to her children, Ray, Jan, and Loy Waddell and his wife, Virginia, Lorraine is survived by seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Cecil Albin of Farmington, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.