Obituary of Jane Collie

July 27, 1932 -Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

January 21, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Jane was a happy, calm and gracious woman who lived a rich and rewarding life.

Jane was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK and graduated from the U of S with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 followed by a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC in 1954. Jane met her husband Ron when they were both working in Regina and after their marriage in 1955, she cheerfully followed him wherever his work, as an engineer, took them. From Regina they went to Calgary, then The Hague, NL, then to Clarkson, ON, and finally back to Calgary where they spent the remainder of their lives. The move to Holland proved the most challenging because Ron was stationed in Oman overseeing the completion of an oil refinery, leaving Jane to navigate her way alone in a foreign country with three young children in tow. With the exception of a few minor traffic accidents, which she blamed on poor weather conditions and confusing Dutch signage, we all survived, and were forever grateful for the European holidays we took together.

Jane worked part-time as a City of Calgary librarian and was also a dedicated volunteer with several organizations over the years, including The Junior League, the United Way, the Kinettes and the Peggwives. In 1978, she co-chaired the United Way residential campaign and could always be counted on to door-knock on behalf of Calgary’s various charities.

Jane and Ron enjoyed family ski trips, golfing and bridge. They formed their first couple’s bridge club in the early ‘60’s and it remained active for over 30 years. The group had many adventures together and remained lifelong friends. Jane also formed close ties with several other people with whom she and Ron played bridge, keeping them both extremely busy.

Jane is survived by her three children, Douglas Collie (Benedicte Maillard) of Olds, AB, Anne Wanklyn (Paul) of Calgary, AB and Donald Collie of Vancouver, BC.  She was also immensely proud and fond of her five grandchildren, Jillian Wanklyn, Joel Wanklyn, Jocelyn Craig, Iain Collie and Anne Collie. Jane was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Mary Rees of Saskatoon, SK; her sister, Helen McDonald of Millarville, AB; and her husband, Ronald Collie of Calgary, AB.

A Private Family Celebration of Jane’s Life will be held in Saskatoon at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

The family is forever grateful to the staff at Trinity Lodge for the devoted care they provided for Jane.  If so desired, a donation can be made in her name to The United Way, www.calgaryunitedway.org or the Calgary Woman’s Emergency Shelter,  https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/index.php/give/individual.

In living memory of Jane Collie, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.