Lethie Mae "Lee" Collins

1938 - 2023

Lethie "Lee" Mae Collins, 84, passed peacefully on January 28, 2023, at Central Peninsula Hospital. She spent her last days surrounded by the people she loved.

Lee was born October 16, 1938, in Boone, North Carolina. She moved to Alaska in 1978 with her family where she made her home, first in Indian Valley, Ak., Anchorage, Ak., and then in the Soldotna and Kenai area.
Lee worked at the Indian House in Indian Valley, Alaska from 1978 to 1987, Brown Jug in Anchorage from 1987-1998, Safeway in Soldotna from 1998-2007 and Frontier Community Services in Soldotna from 2002 to 2019 before retiring.

Lee was an avid reader and loved to watch westerns, drawn most to stories rich in American history. She loved animals and they loved her. Some will remember the photo of the large owl that landed on her, hanging around as she walked around the yard with him perched on her arm. She was small but fearless and had a strong work ethic. In Cleveland, she worked in factories and spent nights as a waitress. As a bar manager in Indian Valley, she enjoyed the locals and hosted parties for bikers. She was a night-time store clerk in the toughest neighborhoods in Anchorage. At Soldotna Safeway, she always gave her best with whatever jobs assigned her and she expected everyone else to do the same. Never one to stop, she worked until she was 80 as a PCA, taking care of others while helping them maintain their dignity. Lee was active in her faith and enjoyed her time with her community at Kenai Fellowship. Lee had an effect on many lives and will be long remembered for her frankness and caring. She is missed by our family and by all whose lives she touched in her church and our community.

Lee was survived by her sister, Geneva Mastel of Yakima, WA; daughters, Jeanette Maynard of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., Elaine Buch of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., Cheryl Mazza Wright of Cleveland, Ohio, and Jill Batchelder of Kenai, Ak.; sons, Chris (Tony) Mazza of Wasilla, Ak. and Roy Collins of Kenai, Ak.; 9 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Larry Ryburn.

Family will spread her ashes over the Cook Inlet at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Kenai Fellowship.

Family may be contacted via Jill Batchelder at (907)953-2058