Wendy Collins

On June 5, 2025, Wendy Collins passed away peacefully at home, just as she had hoped.

Born in Epsom, Surrey on February 12, 1943, Wendy entered the world during the turmoil of World War II and spent her early years in British orphanages and foster care. After an extensive search, she successfully located several members of her birth family, including a half-sister, and uncovered a Jewish heritage that she embraced with pride.

Despite a difficult beginning, Wendy grew into a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a generous friend to many.

She graduated in catering and hotel management, and brought her gift for hospitality home, especially during the holidays, when she loved welcoming those in need of companionship or a place to belong.

In 1962 Wendy married the persistent and devoted Eric Collins and they soon had two daughters to complete their family.

In the 1970s, Wendy and Eric made the bold decision to immigrate to Canada, determined to build a better life for their children. They homesteaded on an acreage south of Lashburn, Saskatchewan - sharing their pioneer cottage with mice and garter snakes - while slowly building a house, one board at a time.

The family moved to Lloydminster in 1979, where Wendy worked for 16 years as the voice behind Alberta’s Regional Information Telephone Enquiry system. She and Eric also started a business together, designing and selling Ready-to-Move homes and offering event planning services, including the notable occasion of Prince Edward’s official visit to Lloydminster.

Wendy was deeply committed to offering hope and encouragement to others, especially those who had experienced difficult childhoods or abandonment. Her faith was central to her life and inspired her active involvement in church leadership, youth mentorship, and camps for college and career-aged adults.

Theater was another of Wendy’s great passions. She began performing at age four and later became a talented director and mentor to countless actors and directors in the Lloydminster area. She was a founding director and cast member of the Drumheller Passion Play and was known for her high standards - if you were in one of her productions, you’d better be ready to rehearse an hour for every minute on stage!

In 2017, Wendy and Eric moved to Chestermere, where they embraced retirement and built a new circle of friends (including quite a few dogs!) and took up painting.

Wendy will be remembered by her friends as someone who always had time to listen - and likely a freshly baked treat to offer. Her family will forever remember “Grandmama,” whose zest for life had her jumping on the trampoline with her great-grandson just weeks before her passing.

She is survived by her husband, Eric; daughters Amanda Block (friend Kim) and Heidi Block (Dwight); grandchildren Jason, Andrew (Kenda), Jonathan (Elaina), Amy (Jesse), Elizabeth (Jonathan), and Victoria (Ethan); and great-grandchildren Jackson, Isaac, Ophelia, Bennett, Avery, and Adeline. She was predeceased by her mother Florence, foster-mom Nellie, and son-in-law Dale Block.

The Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Camp Chestermere, 1041 E Lakeview Rd, Chestermere, AB T1X 1B1. (The service will not be livestreamed)