Tiny Will Collins

Celebrating a Life of Beauty, Service, and Generosity
Tiny Will (Hackle) Collins, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and friend to her community, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25th, at the age of 89. She was surrounded by her loved ones.
Born in Lyons, Georgia, to Henry Mae and George Hackle, Tiny was raised in Lake Wales, Florida. She spent her early years thriving in the sunshine-picking and eating oranges from the orchards surrounding her home and swimming in the lakes with her family and friends. Tiny became the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality. Foreshadowing her reputation in later years as a woman of grace, style, and elegance, Tiny won awards for fashion design, beauty, and social entertaining.
Tiny blossomed under the mentorship of "Miss Margaret," a community leader credited with tapping into the potential of young women. Miss Margaret helped create an opportunity for Tiny to leave her small town in rural Florida to attend Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in Columbia, South Carolina. It was there that Tiny found her life's passion-caring for others, studying science, and thinking creatively to help solve healthcare challenges for her patients. She graduated in 1956 and began her career as a compassionate and skilled caregiver.
One sunny weekend on the beaches of South Carolina, Tiny met a charming young pharmacist from Craigmont, Idaho. Dick Collins was serving in the U.S. Army, and he quickly became smitten with the beautiful and bright young nurse. A year later, on April 3, 1958, Dick and Tiny were married in Savannah, Georgia. Tiny's adventures continued as she journeyed away from her beloved South to the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Tiny brought her Southern charm and hospitality to her new life out west and made many friends and neighbors feel welcomed and loved.
Landing in Moscow, Idaho, Tiny and Dick started their family, welcoming a daughter, Susan, and a son, Ken, into their lives. Tiny worked as a pediatric nurse while Dick worked for his uncle's Owl Drug. These experiences fostered their mutual desire to serve their community's healthcare needs by acquiring and opening their own pharmacy and working within a small-town medical community. Thus began the pursuit of finding the perfect opportunity in the perfect town. Over time, this led Dick and Tiny to Pendleton, Oregon, where they acquired Graham & Wells Drug Store in 1971. Years later, they bought the two remaining pharmacies in downtown Pendleton and relocated them to the old Woolworth's building, renaming them Collins Drug.
During those years, Tiny had two careers: one as a Home Health and Hospice nurse at St. Anthony's Hospital for nearly 30 years, and the other as the curator of Collins Drug's gift department. It was there that she and Dick created their dream-a place where people could find kindness, community, and beauty. For over 22 years, they were a core business in downtown Pendleton. In 1993, Tiny and Dick sold Collins Drug and began the steps toward retirement.
Tiny was a nurse for 45 years., touching the lives of countless patients and families with her kindness and professionalism.
Tiny also devoted her time and energy to various charitable causes and was an active volunteer and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pendleton, Altrusa Club, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She adored those times, making dear friends while working to raise funds and benefit the lives of those who needed an extra helping hand. In retirement, Tiny took every opportunity to travel with Dick to visit family and friends throughout the country. In 2014, Tiny and Dick moved to Bend, Oregon, to be closer to family.
Tiny was a revered mother and mother-in-law, and she relished her role as a grandmother. She was simply adored her family, and they thrived under her unwavering love and support. She is survived by her loving children - Susan Collins (Tom Carson) of Bend, OR, and Ken Collins of Salem, OR-and was a doting grandmother to five grandchildren: Tara, Joshua, and Joe Collins, and Pilar and Lily Carson. Tiny's sister, nieces, nephews, and extended family members will also miss her dearly. Those of us who knew her are honored to have been part of her wonderful life.
The family warmly invites you to celebrate Tiny's life with a Celebration of Life service at First Presbyterian Church in Pendleton (201 SW Dorian Avenue) on Saturday, October 5th, at 11 a.m. with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, Tiny's family asks that you offer an act of kindness in her memory or consider a donation to Partner's in Care Hospice and Home Health (partnersbend.org).