Gloria COLLINGS

COLLINGS, Gloria Lila
(nee MacKenzie)
October 6, 1931 - March 28, 2013
At home, surrounded by her children, Gloria Collings passed away on 28 March 2013, after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. Gloria has now joined her one true love, Ron, her husband of 57 years who went ahead to prepare the way just six months ago. She leaves behind her children Geoffrey (Lynne), Deirdre (Rafal) and Dana, and her grandchildren, Jack, Kate, Aleksander and Liam. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. She is also survived by brothers Russell (Margaret) and Colin, and by numerous nephews and nieces. Gloria was a happy person and this touched everyone that she knew. She exemplified a generosity of spirit. She was a lover of butterflies and sender of angels. Over the years, she cared for many different people who needed her help, always willingly and with love. Gloria had a special gift for teaching children the "Joy of Learning" for which she prepared herself at the University of Ottawa, Peterborough Normal School, McMaster University and Algonquin College. She left teaching to nurture her children at home. She later returned to teaching, working with elementary and special needs children. She was Commissioner of Clan MacKenzie (Ottawa area) and a member of St. Andrew's Society. She was always grateful for her many friends from St Timothy's Presbyterian Church, the Red Hat Society, the Fashion Group and the Engineer's Wives Association. Gloria wishes to express profound thanks to her loving and supportive family and her many friends as she coped with cancer for many years. The expressions of caring and kindness in gifts of baking, soup, books, flowers and visits - especially in her final months - made a world of difference on a difficult journey. Profound thanks to close family members: Stephen and Ann, Andrew and Sue, and Colin. And special thanks to her palliative doctors, nurses and caregivers, and to Shirley. Friends are invited to visit at Hulse, Playfair and McGarry Funeral Home, 315 McLeod St. from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, 55 St Clair Avenue West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M4V 2Y7, would be greatly appreciated.