Janet Margery Collins

Dateline: Godfrey Janet Margery Duthie Collins, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after illness on September 22, 2016 at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was born November 20, 1925 in The Dalles, Oregon, the oldest of three sisters, to the late James Livingston Duthie and Jessie Serbrache, where they lived on a small farm. Janet received her Bachelor's from the University of Oregon, where she met her husband, Lloyd Raymond Collins. They were married September 18, 1949 in Eugene, OR. She went on to earn a Ph.D in Linguistics in 1972 from St. Louis University. She was a professor for more than twenty years in the English department of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville campus where she taught classes in English composition, linguistics, and Old English literature. She was dedicated to teaching and helping students with their reading and writing. She was an avid reader and enjoyed all types of literature, and loved opera and traditional jazz. Janet served as President of the Madison County Historical Society from 1996-2008 and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Linguistics Society of America. She grew orchids for most of her life in her home and was a member of the Missouri Orchid Society. She was co-owner of Piasa Net Internet and Computer Services for 19 years and a past member of the Village of Godfrey Zoning Commission. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Lloyd. Janet is survived by her three children, Duthie (Linda) Collins of New Lenox, IL, Matthew (Jena) Collins of Godfrey, IL, and Dana Collins (Felix Fernández) of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; her goddaughter, Helen Larsen of Santa Barbara, CA; six grandchildren, Miranda Richins, Duthie Collins, Elena Fernández-Collins, Cristina (Juan Carlos) Cardona, Erin Knock, and Dean (Monica) Wuellner; five great-grandchildren, Mathilda and Duncan Richins, Lucas Cardona, Olivia Knock, and Noah Wuellner; and her two sisters, Barbara Wilson and Nancy Duthie of Portland, OR . A memorial visitation will be held from 2 PM until the memorial services at 3 PM, Sunday September 25, 2016, at Gent Funeral Home. Burial will be private at Godfrey Cemetery. Janet requested no flowers be sent for her services but instead for contributions to be made to the Madison County Historical Society, 700 N Main, Edwardsville, IL 62025 or to The Hayner Public Library, 326 Belle Street, Alton, IL 62002. Online register book and additional information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

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Janet Margery Collins

November 20, 1925 - September 22, 2016