Carole G. Collins

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Carole G. Collins, who joyfully entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be with our Lord on October 6, 2025, at the age of 70.

Carole’s life was a reflection of love in action grounded in faith, devoted to family, and filled with thoughtful, everyday moments of kindness that touched every life she encountered. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, passionate educator, and cherished friend, Carole lived each day with a heart for others - devoted to her family, always generous with her time, and always eager to share God’s love through her words, her work, and her warmth.

Born on April 15, 1955, to Ruth and Luverne Donker, Carole’s early years were marked by curiosity, compassion, and faith. After graduating from Ripon Christian High School, she pursued her passion for understanding and teaching children, studying Psychology and Childhood Development at Calvin College and UC Davis, and later earning her teaching credentials from Stanislaus State University.

In September of 1976, Carole met the love of her life, Karrick P. Collins, and they were joyfully married on August 18, 1979. Together, they built a loving home and adopted three wonderful children: Peter, Matthew, and Katherine. To her family, Carole was the heart of the home - she found her greatest joy in caring for those she loved and in creating a space filled with laughter, warmth, and love.

Carole devoted 28 years to teaching and inspiring students and fellow educators alike. Rooted in faith and guided by love, Carole devoted her life to nurturing those around her including her family, her students, and her community always giving of herself with kindness and grace. Her passion for helping our youth flourish extended beyond the classroom through her countless volunteer roles in her church, her children’s schools, the Suzuki organization, and many others.

A gifted pianist and joyful singer, Carole found deep meaning in worship through music. Whether playing hymns at church, accompanying her children while they played their violins or sang, or filling her living room with melodies of praise - music was consistently her favorite expressions of faith. Her favorite hymn, “Our God Is an Awesome God,” was one she could play by heart and despite the many challenges of frontotemporal dementia she was able to play and sing it triumphantly even into her final days. 

When not at the piano, Carole expressed her love through baking; her kitchen was always alive with the comforting aromas of zucchini bread, scones, and trays of cookies she joyfully shared with family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to stop by. To Carole, baking was another form of love in action - a simple, tangible way to care for others and bring a bit of sweetness into their lives.​

After retirement, Carole’s days were filled with faith, family, and song. She continued to be a steadfast source of love and encouragement to her husband, children, and grandchildren, all while serving her church community with joyful devotion as a deacon and choir member. Guided by her unwavering faith, she lived each day with purpose and kindness, leaving a legacy of love that continues to shine in the hearts of those she touched. 

Carole is now joyfully reunited in Heaven with her parents, Luverne and Ruth Donker, and her brothers, Dan and Rick Donker. She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Karrick, her children Peter, Matthew, and Katherine, and her beloved grandchildren - five and counting!  Carole’s life was a beautiful testimony of faith, love, and service, a light that continues to shine brightly through her family, her students, and all who were blessed to know her.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Hughson, California, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Trinity United Presbyterian Church @ https://www.tupc.org/

The Collins family deeply appreciates the love, prayers, and support extended to them during this time. 

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 (NIV)