Leann Marie Collins

Leann Collins, 65,passed away on September 18, 2026, after a sudden cancer that began only this April. A very aggressive cancer that moved frightenedly fast. Through months in and out of the hospital, she met it with courage, dignity, and the same positive spirit she brought to everything else.

Leann was born in Auburn, Washington, a child of the forest and the wild. As a girl, she paged through her father's National Geographic and dreamed of seeing those places for herself. She did. David took her down and got Leann her first passport to see the world. So much so that the two were married on a tiny island in Greece, and they spent the next month roaming Greece’s ancient sites.

It took David four years to get a first date with Leann. Once achieved, they never separated, spending the next 37 years side by side, nearly around the clock.

The first in her family to attend college, Leann earned a bachelor's degree in photography and built a remarkable career. She invented an emulsion manipulation technique that allowed the image to be crafted hours or days later she called “Photo Impressionism”, reviving SX-70 Polaroids and solving one of the primary limitations of the art form. In addition, for the first time, printing them as large-scale canvases. Her invented technique was recognized nationally and she was asked to teach it in colleges and seminars. Further she won awards at professional photographers' conventions and drew national attention for her fine art boudoir work. She loved her wedding photography business, helping lead Austin into the era of photojournalist-style wedding photography using 35mm camera, pioneering her trademarked "The Storybook Wedding."

Leann took up hunting so her son Devin could realize his dream, and it became a shared passion for the family that carried them around the world. Her photography grew into fine art wildlife work and conservation, and her donated art raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity. She never turned down a request for a donation.

Leann loved animals. She raised and bred parrots. Her photographs appeared on the cover of Bird Talk the famous hobbyist magazine as well as many other publications. She gave talks through out the US and showed parrots as well. She was an ardent supporter of conservation and was the international stud book coordinator for the Red Lory (Eos bornea ) parrot for all the worlds, breeders, aviaries and zoos.

In addition to photography, Leann excelled in many fields. Watching her work her champion bird dogs was watching an artist. She also founded a charity – Central Texas Wildlife Legacy - to get kids outdoors and help wounded veterans return to outdoor sports; it grew to more than 6,000 members, with Leann as its nationwide face.

The greatest achievement of her life was her sobriety. Her dear friend Ashley took her to her first AA meeting, on Ashley's birthday. Leann threw herself into recovery, attending meetings several times a week and becoming a sponsor. She will perhaps be remembered most for the hundreds of people she helped through AA. In her final years, she took up serious painting and jewelry making. She gifted her artisan beaded bracelets to friends in the program.

She was a devoted mother who never missed a play, event or a game, and she loved her grandchildren more than life itself — always ready to fish, hike, sword-fight, throw a ball, or simply play. She even took her family to Africa and showed her grandkids the wild and their first wild elephant.

Leann is survived by her husband, David; her children, Kristina and Devin, and their spouses Dario and Anna respectively; her grandchildren, Gabe, Mateo, Dominic, Bernie, and Lawrence; her father, Chuck Sickels, and his wife, Shirley; her mother, Donna Garrett; her sister, Gail Waddle; her brother-in-law, Kenny; her brother in law Steven and Lori Sefton; and sister in law Myra and Dan Farris; her specially beloved nieces, nephews; as well as cousins, and extended family; and of course the AA community she loved so deeply.

She left this world holding no grudge against anyone, and none holding one against her. She was preceded by her beloved dogs, Keya and Bella, and today she is hunting with them in the heavenly fields of infinite pheasant. She was an incredible wife, friend and role model. She lived a truly blessed life well lived.

WHY ?

The most important question in the universe.

Why does God take such a vibrant, loved, and a

awesome Grandmother from our life.

For the most important question in the Christian

Faith – there is no answer. The Bible is full of answers,

But the one answer we need most, that tries our

Faith the hardest – it just isn’t there. I won’t try

to answer either, I don’t know. No answer - only

makes it so much harder.

What I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt

Heaven is real. Your Grandmother is there – waiting

What will be for her a brief moment, as time slows

In God’s infinite presence.

I can tell you – my heart

hurts deeply for you. If I could do anything to

change what happened I would – I am not granted

that gift. When Kristina went into the ER a month ago;

we came within hours of losing her. That sense of possible loss

was so tangible, so real – it caused physical pain. More so for

you in this sad time, as the loss was made real.

It’s so hard - especially hard - when it’s a beloved Grandparent. They are our rocks. That special island of peace and love in the

turbulent seas of everyday life. I still miss my Grandaddy terribly.

But what a magnificent life your Grandmother

lived with you as her beloved grandchildren and with such

a large close family. Gifted beyond words, happy –

completed. She passed from this world contented,

and beloved.

I can only hope that Christ in his infinite loving heart,

cups our family in his tender hands and folds

us into his heart: giving his divine grace and love - a balm

that soothes the terrible pain of our loss.

We are praying for you with all of our love.

All of our family are in our prayers. Our heart breaks.