Dorothy Collie

Mother, grandma, great grandma, wife and sister, a woman who was deeply loved; Dorothy Leah Collie passed Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the age of 85. Dorothy was born in Tequalah, Oklahoma on October 24, 1938 to Ethel Smith and Elvin Arms. Growing up in the south, Dorothy told stories of catching fireflies and swimming with water moccasins. Dorothy always welcomed an adventure and at the young age of 14, she rode a bus from her cousins in Oklahoma all the way to her family in Wenatchee, Washington. In February of 1960 she married Jimmie Ray Collie (Jim). They were life partners for 60 years until Jim’s passing in 2016. Jim and Dorothy were blessed with four children, Joni, Tonee, Jimmy and Tom. Dorothy graduated nursing school in 1971 from Wenatchee Valley College. She quickly excelled in her nursing career and spent 37 years in the ER department at Central Washington Hospital. Dorothy was known as an exceptional nurse. She was unflustered under the pressure of ER medicine and a legend amongst her peers. There really isn’t anything that Dorothy hasn’t seen in the medical realm and her family enjoyed hearing her stories. The family always turned to Grandma whenever medical advice was needed. She cared for those she worked with, the patients she helped and her friends and family so deeply. Dorothy loved her kids, her grandkids and her great grandkids. She was the world’s best grandma and knew how to spoil her family. There was not an event or holiday in her family’s life that she missed. It was common to stop at Grandmas and find the newest trinket or this season's latest trendy outfit. She was always one step ahead of fashion. She could find any item, anywhere, at any time! She could shop like no one else. She was known as Grandma to so many and always made those around her feel special. She is preceded in death by her mother Ethel Smith, her father Elvin Arms, brothers: Leon Arms, Charles Arms and Gary Arms, and husband Jimmie Ray Collie. Surviving are sister Diane (Leroy) Bellew, daughters: Joni McDonald and Tonee Collie and sons: Jimmy Collie and Tom (Angie) Collie, grandsons: Michael (Kendal) McDonald, Ryan (Noey) McDonald and Davis Collie and granddaughters: Lindsey (Dan) Richmond, Stacey McDonald and Aja (Matt) Rodriguez, as well as 10 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee on May 23, 2024, at 11:30 am.

Dorothy Collie

October 24, 1938 - April 20, 2024