Margaret Elise Collier

1945 - 2022

Margaret Elise Collier née Peterson
January 10, 1945 - May 25, 2022
Margaret Elise Collier, born 1945, (née) Peterson, known better as "Mimi," recently passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She beat the odds of this deadly disease longer than most.
Mimi is survived by her husband Curtis A. Collier and sons Eric, Louis and Jacques Lehot and grandchildren Adam, Ella, Tristan and Elias Lehot.
Mimi was a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, having grown up in Berkeley and Piedmont. Learning, speaking and eventually teaching French and Spanish were an integral part of her life, and led to her numerous travels throughout Europe, Mexico, South America and elsewhere. Mimi spent twenty years as a French and Spanish high school and middle school teacher.
After her retirement from teaching, Mimi had the time to make new friendships in her town of Lafayette. She was active in volunteer organizations. As a member of the Junior League of Oakland East Bay, she assisted members of senior organizations in protecting their legal property rights. She was also active in Junior league Sustainer groups, an investment and a book club. She also was involved in the Senior Activity Group of Saint Perpetua Catholic Church in Lafayette. She planned numerous field trips for the group, such as guided tours of the DeYoung and Disney museums in San Francisco. Mimi was an avid reader, especially during her struggles with cancer.
Mimi loved her home in Lafayette and spent hours in her beautiful back yard, taking care of her rose garden and exercising. She loved the company of her dogs and was an accomplished equestrian in her youth. Mimi was able to continue enjoyment of the sport by watching her granddaughter Ella.
In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting donations for the Pancreatic Cancer Network: https://www.pancan.org, which was a great source of comfort and support for Mimi as she navigated treatment options for this deadly disease.