DOROTHY 'DOTTIE' COLLINGS June 21, 1921 to November 23, 2003 Einan's Funeral Home

Dorothy 'Dottie' Collings, 82, of Richland was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Thomas and Maude Etchason Fossard on June 21, 1921 and entered eternal life at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Washington at 1:50 AM Sunday, November 23, 2003, from respiratory problems.

At the age of 4 her mother passed away, and when she was 13 her father passed away. Her aunt and uncle, Floyd and Lela Roller in Purdy, Missouri, raised her.

Mom graduated from Wheaton High School in Wheaton, Missouri with the class of 1939.

Dorothy and Virgil Collings were married in a double wedding ceremony with Ercia Roller mother's cousin and best friend and George Francisco in 1942. The first few years were spent farming in Missouri, until dad became a member of the International Guard's Union that brought them to Richland in 1949. During the ensuing years they were transferred to Klamath Falls, Oregon; Mercury, Nevada nuclear bomb testing site; Ipava, Illinois; Wichita, Kansas then back to Richland in 1956.

Dorothy was a waitress for 33 years, having worked at Pennywise, Ernie's and Ray's Golden Lion Restaurants. She retired in 1983.

She thoroughly enjoyed her job and all of her customers. Mother was the favorite of many customers. Mom would remember what the people always ordered and wrote up their order slips before they were even seated. She could balance plates all of the ways up her arms without spilling one thing, which is quite a feat! She also loved making crafts, working in her flower gardens making her yard a beautiful place. Her vegetable gardens provided us with a bountiful amount of delicious tomatoes. For years she entertained herself by playing Bingo every Saturday night. She always won more than she lost!

In October of 2002 mom had a brain stem stroke. With mom's very strong determination she was able to recover enough to leave the rehab center at Kadlec in early November 2002. As she was unable to fully care for herself she moved to the Life Care Center of Richland where she made her home until the time of her passing. She had many friends and was able to again enjoy Bingo and other games. Too bad the 'pot' wasn't as large as she used to receive.

Mom loved embroidering pillowcases and, for the last few years, tea towels. She sold her beautifully embroidered tea towels at Christmas bazaars. Mom found deep pleasure in teaching her granddaughter, Kelly, how to embroider this past summer. They were able to share special memories together as they worked. Mom also made beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren, which will be forever treasured.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Tom Fossard his wife Eupha and their son Warren; her sister Fredna Springer; and her very fond cousin Ercia Duncan.

Left with wonderful memories are her son Jim Collings and his two daughters Dr. Jamie and Adrianna Collings; daughter Shirley, her husband Dennis Haskins and their two children Lindsay and Kelly Haskins; and Barbara Collings and her son Dustin Collings.

She is also survived by her half-sister Stevia Mathis, Stevia's daughters Peggy and Betty; nephews Jim and John Fossard, Tom and Bob Springer; and niece Patricia Springer.

Family services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.

After the coldest winter, the warmth of springtime beckons, and after the darkest night, the light of dawn appears once more. After the grayest storm, a rainbow paints the sky with color, and after the strongest waves, fragile seashells line the shore. After the deepest loss, God gives the healing gift of memories to comfort and bring peace of mind. When those we love are gone and as long as we remember, we will never feel alone, for deep within our hearts, we know our loved ones still live on...