Juanita Collins

MIDDLETON- On January 27, 2016, Juanita M. Collins died as quietly as she lived. It was a beautiful Wisconsin winter day with blue sky and white trackless snow. The sun was bright and shining on her face as she passed- just as she wanted.

Juanita was born on August 24, 1926 to Sidney and Laura Pollard. She grew up during the Great Depression. She often told of her family’s hard work and poverty and of the despair of foraging for food, sharing two slices of baloney among the five family members, and of standing in line for ugly boots from the state, which announced your poverty by their ugliness. This all accounts for Juanita’s love of beauty and flowers, of always having lots of food and candy on hand, her incredible work ethic, and her frugality and generosity.

While a student at East High School, she attended a USO Dance. There she met the love of her life, Donald Collins, who was attending U.S. Navy radio school here. Before Don was shipped out to the U.S.S. Finback in the Pacific, they fell in love. Don and Juanita wrote each other often throughout the war. When the war ended, Don came straight back to Madison and proposed to Juanita in Rentschler’s Flower Shop on State Street. They were married on October 1, 1945.

Don attended school at the U.W. and Juanita continued to work. After completing college, Don worked as a Probation and Parole Officer for the State and was assigned to Wausau, where Michael was born in 1951. Shortly thereafter he was reassigned to Portage, where they lived for the next 52 years. While in Portage, Juanita worked at Wilz’s Walgreen Drug Store; was active at St. John’s Episcopal Church; and had many friends, and was a great homemaker and wife.

In 2003 Don and Juanita moved to Madison, living close to Mike and Margaret and the grandchildren. In 2005 they moved to Old Sauk Gardens Apartments where Juanita made a beautiful and comfy home where everyone loved her pretty glass decorating touches and felt at home. They enjoyed life together until Don died on July 4, 2006. Juanita continued to reside at Old Sauk Gardens until her death, enjoying her sun-room, tending her beautiful plants, and sharing her recipes (even if she might omit an ingredient lest the student surpass the master).

Juanita loved to shop, and always had a coupon. She loved layering coupons and discounts, paying next to nothing for her purchases. She also loved watching and listening to the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. She loved giving Kit Kat bars and other candies to those who visited her. But most of all she loved family and she shared her time and love with us all most generously.

Don always called her “My Beauty” and Aaron wrote a song named just that. It expresses so well Don’s love for her:

MY BEAUTY

We’ve been together for oh so many years now

Our love’s still strong

Sitting next to you watching tv now

Is where I belong

Things don’t seem quite right

Without you by my side.

I know your thoughts

I know your favorite flowers

And you know mine

I could stare at you for endless hours

That’d be just fine.

My beauty, I’ll hold you all through the night

My beauty, with you it feels so right

If you’d ever seen my girl

You wouldn’t ask me why

I’ll love my beauty for the rest of my life.

I don’t know where this life will take me

It won’t break me

As long as I know you’ll be there

Whatever you want I’ll be there for you, I adore you

I’ll be there

Tell me where.

We all cherish this song as a beautiful tribute to them both, and a lasting anthem for our family.

Juanita is survived by her son, Michael, and her daughter-in-law, Margaret, who she loved and appreciated for all her help (even if she didn’t go shopping at the mall with her); her grandchildren, Alana (Bryan) Adamson, Waunakee, Aaron (Jessica), Madison, and Megan, New York City; and her great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life, Maya, Riggins, and Cora Adamson.

Juanita is also survived by Margaret’s sister, Stephanie, who was willing to help her in any way she could and who has been so helpful to all of us in caring for her; her beloved nieces, Sherry (John) Lewis, Madison, and Bonnie (Richard) Smith, Windermere, Florida, who were so kind and helpful to her- taking her shopping, going on rides and eating lots of ice cream; Richard Ajer (Margie), Alta Loma, California, and all her great and great great nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her dear friends, John and Robin Cavanaugh, and John David and Carolyn Worley with whom she shared many laughs and good conversation at Panera.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 61 years, Donald; her parents, Sidney and Laura Pollard; her sister, Shirley Ajer; and her brother, George Pollard.

At the end of her life she shared her gratitude for her good and long life, naming everyone and sharing a special moment or recollection with each; she also wanted to make sure Johnson Bank, Panera on Junction Road, Walgreens and Target were thanked. A grateful heart is the expression of humility and the foundation of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, hard work, contentment, happiness, love and well being. In being humble, Juanita/Mom/Grandma/ GG taught us these virtues and more.

The family wishes to thank all the fine doctors and nurses, in the Meriter Hospital ICU and the wonderful staff at Agrace Hospice Care for the amazing and loving care she received in the final days of her life.

A private family remembrance is planned at Roselawn Memorial Park Chapel where she will reunite forevermore with her beloved, Don.

Please consider a donation in Juanita’s name to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711.

Mom, I miss you. mjc

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000