Danielle Leanne McCollister

Born Danielle Leanne Aasen, she followed her father Dan’s footsteps into heaven mere months after him. Both are now cancer free, both now in the arms of Jesus. Danielle leaves behind her husband Chris, children Ezra and Levi, her mother Marilyn, sister Nicki (Seth), brother Aaron (Krista), niece Hannah, nephews Isaac, Leif and Finn, and many dear and treasured friends and beloved extended family.

Danielle was born in Port Alberni and lived her entire life here apart from three years of missionary studies and work. Most of her early years were spent with family and friends and she enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, motorbiking, travel, and hiking. After high school, Danielle spent a year at Bible school in Abbotsford and completed a mission to Macau during that time. She also spent two years with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), living on the YWAM base in Texas and completed mission outreaches to New Orleans and East Africa.

Married in 2004 to Chris McCollister, the couple recently celebrated twenty years of love and laughter. Ovarian cancer was discovered a year before Danielle and Chris were married and the resulting surgery meant there were no assurances of having children. Their first miracle, son Ezra Walker, was born in 2006 with miracle two, daughter Levi Elizabeth following a quick seventeen months later, in 2008.

One of Danielle’s loves was family vacations. She enjoyed camping in the Okanagan and all-inclusive holidays in Mexico. Sometimes with just her core family of four, though often larger trips were taken with extended family and friends. We have great memories of these times spent together.

As we reflect on the legacy Danielle left, we recognize her passion to love her family, friends, and her savior Jesus. Her outward glow and beauty were an extension of the love of the Lord simply bursting out of her. This joy and passion were felt by anyone who was in her presence. Sometimes it poured out in beautiful singing, mostly it came out in hoots (yes, hoots) of laughter. Danielle loved her family deeply, and being together was spent playing board games, reading the Bible or simply snuggling.

The final moments were at home for Danielle’s palliative journey’s end. Even when in pain or suffering, Danielle’s main goal was to ensure everyone else’s comfort. Her bravery never diminished, her love was never selfish, her hope never shattered. And yet there came the time when she knew and declared: “the miracle won’t be my healing on earth, the miracle is that God will look after you and the kids”.

And so, our girl, we thank you for living out a love that never gave up, never lost faith, was always hopeful, and endured through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13: 7).We love you and will always remember you.The service to celebrate Danielle’s life will be at 2 pm, ADSS Theatre, Saturday January 18th. Reception to follow.

Fond memories or messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.chapelofmemories.ca