Agnes Mae Collins

      While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of family and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Agnes Mae Collins. She had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought her help. Agnes Mae was a forward-looking woman whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone she met. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was authentic and direct. An excellent communicator, Agnes Mae was a master at using imagery when she explained her ideas and concepts. She seemed to have an endless supply of innovative concepts and strategies for how to help those around her. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

      From the time she was born on March 9, 1937, Agnes Mae showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Her parents were Andrew and Sarah Ballantyne. Agnes Mae was raised in Copper Cliff, Ontario.

      Because fellowship was so important to her, Agnes Mae promoted harmony with her siblings. She was raised with 4. She had 4 sisters, Ruby,Bella, Virginia(deceased) and Damaris. Agnes Mae was something of the family diplomat. She helped to settle problems and conflicts and kept the family running smoothly.

      A good student who was enthusiastic about learning, Agnes Mae was considered by many to be a high achiever. She graduated from Copper Cliff High in 1954. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite courses and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was home economics.

      Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Agnes Mae was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer her group of friends. She was generally friendly to all who knew her, yet to some she seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Agnes Mae, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Agnes Mae enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. While growing up, one of her best friends was Betty Shields. Later in life, she became good friends with Audrey Markes, and Barb Esson.

      Agnes Mae was romantic, even poetic at times. She was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show her emotions without going overboard about it. On May 18, 1957 Agnes Mae exchanged wedding vows with Arnold Gordon Collins at Berean Baptist Church of Sudbury, Ontario.

      All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Agnes Mae loved her children. While she could be a firm disciplinarian, she could also fill the role of being a collaborator with her kids. Agnes Mae was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Agnes Mae was blessed with 4 children, three sons, Kenneth, Gordon, David and one daughter, Janis. They were also blessed with 8 grandchildren, Andrew, Christopher, Katlyn, Jennifer, Katherine, Eric, Brett and Lucas.

      Agnes Mae projected a subtle but positive influence in her workplace. She was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, and she worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential. While her colleagues did not view her as a high-spirited type, Agnes Mae was effective at working with others to gain acceptance for her ideas. Agnes Mae could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. She possessed excellent insight and a strong ability to meet schedules. She was an innovator who worked well independently, and she enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. Her primary occupation was office work. She was employed as a bank teller and later worked in the personnel department at Sears.

      As an imaginative and inventive person, Agnes Mae was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Agnes Mae took on a new project, she saw it through to its completion. Her favorite pursuits were knitting, embroidery, cooking and playing the piano. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Agnes Mae was one who put forth her best effort in every aspect of her life, and that carried over to her participation in sports as well. Her sense of diligence inspired others and in turn drew best efforts from her teammates. In high school, Agnes Mae played volleyball and basketball. Agnes Mae was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity.

      Because Agnes Mae was a person who enjoyed helping, teaching and working with others, she was a perfect fit for many types of organizations. Her ability to encourage others, energize the group and her ability to solve all sorts of problems made her a desirable member of a wide variety of organizations. Throughout her later years, Agnes Mae was an active volunteer at Arch Hospice and The Sault Area Hospital.

      Agnes Mae was a woman with clear convictions and high principles, and her faith was important to her. She was an inspiration to many people who recognized her sense of commitment and esteem for others. She was a member of First Baptist Church and later, Parkland Baptist Church. During that time, she was the pianist, organist, Sunday school teacher, Leader of Pioneers, Church clerk.

      Agnes Mae was a well-respected woman who was charitable in every way. She would contribute without hesitation for the benefit of others. As a result, Agnes Mae received many accolades for varied efforts throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included 500 Volunteer Hours.

      Agnes Mae possessed strong skills in long-range planning and project completion, a quality that positively influenced her travel and vacation planning. Favorite vacations included Scotland, and Alaska.

      Agnes Mae was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Two of Agnes Mae's favorites were Jocko : a Lab/Beagle mix and Jocko: a Spaniel mix.

      As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Agnes Mae accepted retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 1994, and Agnes Mae was well prepared. Her new life involved remaining in Sault Ste. Marie. In retirement, she found new pleasure in golfing and travelling. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

      Agnes Mae passed away on April 15, 2016 at Home. Agnes slipped away during her sleep in the early morning of April 15, 2016 due to her aneurysm rupturing. She is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren. In addition, 4 of her sisters, 2 sister-in-laws and 1 brother-in-law. Services were held at Arthur's Funeral Home. Agnes Mae was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetary.

      Though she could be a private person at times, Agnes Mae was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Agnes Mae carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Agnes Mae Collins shared herself freely and family and friends will remember Agnes Mae for the strength of her convictions.

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COLLINS, Agnes Mae (nee Ballantyne) – Born March 9, 1937, Agnes passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 15, 2016, in her 80th year. Beloved wife of Arnold Collins and one month shy of their 59th anniversary. Agnes was the loving mother of Kenneth (Regena), Gordon (Susan), David (Sherri), and Janis Fair (John). Cherished grandmother of Andrew, Christopher, Katlyn, Jennifer, Katherine, Eric, Brett, and Lucas. Dear sister of Ruby Grigg (Morley), Bella Cherry, Damaris Barnett (Ron) and sister-in-law of John Hurtubise, Robert Hambleton, Olga Collins and Gail Collins. Predeceased by her parents Andrew and Sarah Ballantyne, her sister Virginia Hurtubise, as well as Russell Cherry, Robert Collins, Kathleen Hambleton, Harold and Ruby Collins, Neil and Beulah Bugden, Ellard and Freida Collins and William Collins. She will be remembered by her many nieces and nephews. Agnes was born and raised in Copper Cliff. She was a pianist for many years at First Baptist Church and Parkland Baptist Church. She worked at Sears for over 20 years and volunteered at ARCH and the Sault Area Hospital. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Monday, April 18, 2016 from 6 until 9 pm, and on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 from 9:30 until 10:30am. Funeral service to follow at 11am. Dr. John Howarth officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Hospital Neurovascular Dept., ARCH or Parkland Baptist Church.