Dolores Collister

She was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Dolores was born in Germany and came to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1950. She graduated from Roosevelt High School, Hawaii in 1966. She then moved to California where she attended Fullerton University. From there she moved to Millbrae, California to live with her parents, Joe and Trudy Bernard. Shortly after, she met her soon to be husband, Thomas Collister. They married on August 24, 1969. In 1971, they welcomed their first daughter, Cheyanne, in Burlingame, California. Later that year, they moved to Fresno, California. In 1981, they welcomed their second daughter, Tara.

Dolores was employed by the Pacific Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco, California followed by Crocker Bank in Millbrae, California. She began her long-term career at the Internal Revenue Service in Fresno, California where she worked for over 40 years.

Early on in her life, she was passionate about volunteer work. She volunteered for Saint Agnes Hospital, assisting with the photography of newborn infants. Her volunteer work continued throughout various churches over the years including Our Lady of Victory and Sacred Heart in Fresno, California.

Dolores was passionate about the Hawaiian culture including food and hula dancing. She also had a knack for baking goodies such as homemade bread and pies. Dolores loved tending to her plants and hummingbirds daily and enjoyed crafting for her home. She loved making Christmas ornaments, stenciling and a bit of scrapbooking.

Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She enjoyed spending quality time from playing cards and dolls to telling jokes, sharing meals, watching movies and creating everlasting memories.

Although claiming to not be a dog person, she cared for all family pets throughout the years but none like Trexie. She fell in love with her beloved pup and became the dog mom she never knew she was.

Dolores' life was characterized by her compassion, generosity and devotion to others. Her kind heart and giving nature touched many through the years.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thomas E. Collister; daughters, Cheyanne Collister-Sindt and Tara (Jeff) Morgan; grandchildren, Ellianna Morgan, Olivia Morgan, Thomas Sindt, Jonah Kwock; siblings, Margot Collins and Ronald Bernard; nieces and nephew, Jennifer Bernard, Vanessa Bernard, Ron Bernard, Kathy Collins, Shannon Collins, and great nephews Jacob and Nicolas Hollinshead.

A Celebration of Life for Dolores will be held at New Hope Community Church, 4620 East Nees Avenue, Clovis, California 93611. The service will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miss Winkles or Seedlings of Hope, in honor of Dolores Collister's memory.

https://museumofthesierra.org/resiliencyfund/seedlings-of-hope/

https://misswinkles.com/