Joseph COLLINS

1925 - 2023

Joseph (Joe) Collins, age 98, died peacefully at his home in Spokane, WA, on December 13th, 2023. He lived a full, happy, and healthy life. From a 70-year marriage to his wife, Stella (who passed away 3 years earlier), to all the good years with family and friends and his final months under the loving care of his cherished homecare team, he was grateful for it all. Joe was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on June 5th, 1925, to Doris Tokaryk Lyndon and Michael Drozda. After marrying, he and Stella settled in Spokane where Joe worked 42 years as a diamond setter for Teneff Jewelry. Joe always viewed work as a means to the most important part of a man's life: "what he does in his spare time!" Joe was a prizewinning photographer, a stalwart conservationist, a mountain climber who ascended over 600 peaks in 13 of the western states, Canada and 4 European countries. He was an avid book & autograph collector and animal lover. His crowning achievement was serving over 12 years on the board of the North Cascades Conservation Council which was one of the leading forces for the creation of the North Cascades National Park in 1968. Joe is survived by his daughters Diane Turner (David) of San Diego, CA, and Elaine Camyn (John) of Spokane. He also leaves behind his two grandchildren, Joel Turner of Los Angeles, CA, Emily Smith (Paul), and great granddaughter (Hailey) of Santee, CA. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at the chapel at the Pines Cemetery Mausoleum 12116 E. 16th Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206. In lieu of flowers. donations may be sent to the Spokane Humane Society or the Berean Bible Church.

Joe was a prizewinning photographer, a stalwart conservationist, a mountain climber who ascended over 600 peaks in 13 of the western states, Canada and 4 European countries. He was an avid book & autograph collector and animal lover. His crowning achievement was serving over 12 years on the board of the North Cascades Conservation Council which was one of the leading forces for the creation of the North Cascades National Park in 1968.

Joe is survived by his daughters Diane Turner (David) of San Diego, CA, and Elaine Camyn (John) of Spokane. He also leaves behind his two grandchildren, Joel Turner of Los Angeles, CA, Emily Smith (Paul), and great granddaughter (Hailey) of Santee, CA.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at the chapel at the Pines Cemetery Mausoleum 12116 E. 16th Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206. In lieu of flowers. donations may be sent to the Spokane Humane Society or the Berean Bible Church.