Dorothy Collier

Dorothy Collier

Dorothy Collier died on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 after a long illness. She was 63. She spent her last night with her beloved cat Hans Binkerman ("Binkie") curled next to her, followed by a last touch of the cleansing morning sun and mountain breeze of Marin, California. Her last full day, she was surrounded by loving friends, whom she joined softly in the chorus of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." And so too she died with her hands held in her family's to the song of that chorus ("... and every breath we drew was Hallelujah.")

For the last forty+ years, Dorothy had lived in San Francisco in a charming and quirky Victorian house on Cook Street she called "Cook Island." It was her island, and her refuge in the storm that we call life. Dorothy made Cook Island exquisitely beautiful with collected objects and antiques. Her blue glass bottles were positioned just right to catch the sun. The small yard where she would sit with her morning coffee was lush with wildflowers.

Over the years, Dorothy helped countless animals and people - cooking for those living with AIDS through an organization called Project Open Hand (the Wednesday night "dream team" staying friends for life); working as a veterinary technician; and teaching and caring for young children. She was always there to "see"-with the clarity that only her sense of the whole could give-what our ill or damaged furries needed. She was companion and caregiver to the infirm, human and furred alike, cat sitter, house sitter, and healer...trusted by countless San Franciscans. She was the most thoughtful gift-giver in the world, with her eye for beauty and craftsmanship. She loved finding the needle in the haystack or creating a gift that was a perfect match for a friend. With food or gifts, if it wasn't perfect, it simply wasn't worth it. Living up to her standards was most certainly a challenge, though she inspired us to try.

Dorothy gave so much to others and perhaps too little to herself. The exceptions were her love of baseball (she was an avid A's, Giants, Mets, and Red Sox fan) and swimming. Her favorite spot was Great Pond in Truro, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where the water was crystal-clear, gently cool and pristine. Her family and friends will keep foremost in their minds the image of her in the middle of the pond with the long rays of the late afternoon sun across her beautiful face. May she now swim carefree forever.

Friends and family may remember Dorothy with a contribution to Give Me Shelter cat rescue in San Francisco, the Toby Project in New York City, or their favorite animal welfare organization.