Julianne Margaret Collier

Julianne, born in Rawlins, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend who lived a beautiful life centered around her family. She shared 64 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Don Collier. Together they built a life and a family filled with love, memories, and traditions that will continue for generations. Their years were a beautiful testament to commitment, companionship, and enduring love.

Julianne grew up in Rawlins where she was an "A" student and active in school activities including cheerleading and flag twirling. From an early age, she also enjoyed traveling with her father who was a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad. Those travels gave Julianne an appreciation for seeing new places and experiencing life beyond her hometown.

While visiting her grandparents in Loveland, Colorado, Julianne met Don, the man who would become the love of her life. Later, her family moved to Loveland where Julianne graduated from high school in 1961. She went on to graduate from Blair Business College in Denver and also graduated from John Robert Powers School of Modeling where she modeled clothing and shoes. in 1962, Julianne and Don married and began their life together in Fairfield, California while Don served in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base. While there, they welcomed their first daughter.

After Don was honorably discharged from the Air Force, the family moved to Palo Alto, California where Don went to work for Hewlett-Packard Company. Julianne, along with Don, also managed a 32 unit apartment complex demonstrating the independent determination and capability that was such a part of who she was. Two years later, they were able to move into their first home in Cupertino, California, where Julianne gave birth to identical twin daughters. A few years later, the family moved to Sunnyvale, CA and Julianne continued her career at Sunset Magazine as executive secretary to the publisher. While there, she worked in their extensive test kitchens and modeled for various magazine articles. Her next career move was to Hewlett-Packard Company where she was the executive secretary for the corporate tax department for 11 years. The following 3 years Julianne managed a stain glass shop in Mountain View, CA. She created many beautiful glass pieces in the shop and at home. For Julianne, her creativity was more than a hobby - it was a way she connected with people. She loved making handmade gifts for her grandchildren and sharing her work with family and friends. She welcomed others into her creative world and took great joy in watching those she loved discover and appreciate art.

Julianne and Don moved to the central coast area town of Atascadero where they continued to build a life filled with love, family, friends, hard work, creativity, and travel including overseas and the U.S. Soon they became members of the Elks Lodge where Julianne became involved and was the kitchen manager for a year. Both were active members of the Elks RV group and participated in many outings where many friendships developed over several years.

Julianne had a warm and caring presence and will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, strength, devotion to her family, and the spirited personality that made her unforgettable. She had a lifelong love of art and creativity; particularly watercolor, oil painting, drawing, and the beautiful world of stained glass. Above all, Julianne was a cherished mother to her three daughters; Kimberly Dargie, Kelli Van Housen, and Kristi Leal. Her greatest joy was her family and she was especially fond of her grandchildren; Steele and Owen Dargie, Kyle, Colby and Chase Van Housen, Hayden and Joseph Leal. Julianne is also survived by her brother, Bill Sanden, of Colorado Springs. The time she shared with her grandchildren making handmade wontons became a tradition every year. Her love of art was shared often and invited others into her garage studio. Moments filled with love will remained treasured for generations to come. Julianne will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her creative spirit, her appreciation for art, and the occasional spicy spark that brought personality and laughter to those around her. Her influence lives on in her children, grandchildren, family, and those fortunate enough to have known her. Though she will be deeply missed, Julianne's love and legacy will live on through her husband, daughters, grandchildren, brother, and friends.

Forever loved, forever remembered, forever in our hearts.

"Like Light Shining Through Stained Glass

Her Spirit Will Continue to Shine in Colors Forever"