Rekanui Eugenia E. Collins

Rekanui Eugenia Ester Simeon Collins was born November 7, 1927 in Auckland, New Zealand. Rekanui is survived by her children, Ted Collins (Mary Collins his wife), Koa Hancz (Fred Hancz her husband), Kay Collins, Kathy Hoxie and George Collins (Jazz Collins his wife). Grandchildren; Brian Hancz (Heather Hancz his wife) Brandon Hancz, Sean Collins (Juliann Collins his wife) Chris Collins (Brittany Collins his wife & Vivian Fiddler their child), Justin Spooler, (Daisy Spooler his wife, Henry and Penelope their children) and her sister Koanui Dobkin. Her mother, Evelyn Dalton Simeon, was a custom dressmaker and designer for the theater, and her father, James Audiwood Simeon, was a half-cast Maori of the Taraniki Tribe, taught his daughter to respect Maori law and culture. Her name, Rekanui, means great sweetness in the Maori language. James had an interest in music and was a violinist.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Rekanui has always been close to the ocean. In her teenage years Rekanui was an accomplished long distance swimmer. Here, in Mandalay Bay, Rekanui used to swim in the channel until 15 years ago, the family felt it was no longer safe for her and removed the ladder from the dock. As a child in New Zealand after school Rekanui would be at Valeska’s dancing school, singing, dancing or rehearsing for various shows. Rekanui performed at Auckland's well know Civic Theater and His Majesties Theater in numerous shows. One time when singing Rekanui needed another encore, so she called to the orchestra for a vamp in the key of “C”. Rekanui broke into a yodel. The crowd went wild! There were many good singers but no female yodelers. So Rekanui bought a guitar, taught herself to play and became New Zealand's Yodeling Cowgirl. Although Rekanui kept busy practicing performing and rehearsing for shows, she always dedicated time to volunteer her talents to entertain the military personal stationed in New Zealand.

In 1945 Rekanui met John Collins, a World War II Navy man stationed in New Zealand. They were married in New Zealand and in 1946 Rekanui left the country that she loved to begin a new life in America, with her American born husband. Rekanui took the Naval bride ship “The Lurline,” to San Francisco where John was waiting for her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They immediately relocated to West Los Angeles where they raised their five children, Ted, Koa, Kay, Kathy and George. As if raising five children didn’t keep Rekanui busy enough, she began teaching the guitar out of her home. Rekanui continued singing and yodeling at ladies luncheons, Exchange Club of Santa Monica, and various social events throughout the city. Rekanui also donated her time playing the guitar and singing every afternoon at various rest homes. She would go room to room taking requests from the residents. This gave her great satisfaction, she had a special talent to make people happy. New Zealand and the Maori culture was always embedded in her heart and wanted to promote that in Los Angeles. Rekanui taught her son George, and daughter Kathy, Maori dances and the trio would perform in authentic dress.

In addition to her musical talents Rekanui also mastered the art of knitting. Her Grandmother Ada Cate taught her to knit at a young age and once she started she never stopped. Decorative men's ties, ski sweaters with intricate designs, cable stitched vests, socks & slippers, dresses and baby clothes. There was not a pattern that Rekanui could not knit into a beautiful and useful article of clothing.

After 40 years in Los Angeles, Rekanui divorced John and moved to Mandalay Bay, Oxnard, CA. Living on the waters edge Rekanui rekindled her love of the ocean and enjoyed her remaining years there. Music has always been a part of Rekanui’s life, so 15 years ago she purchased an Alan Three Manual Digital Theater Pipe Organ, took some lessons and became involved with the American Organ Society. Here Rekanui made many friends, including professional organists. Rekanui would welcome friends and neighbors into her home to attend an organ concert with a professional organist at the keyboard.

Rekanui was an active participant in the community. She would attend any and all events hosted by the Anchor Magazine, usually with her daughter Kay. Rekanui was often seen at Heritage Square, Elite Theater, and Maritime Museum. Songs by the Sea was put on her calendar months in advance, where she was accompanied by her son George, also a regular at the Farmers Market. Rekanui was an active member of the Down Under Club a group of women born in either Australia or New Zealand, who would meet at her home to enjoy tea, savories and friendship.

Rekanui belonged to a poetry group, where each member would write, recite, and critique each others poems. Her poems were always in rhyme and had meaning, a moral, a value to them. She self-published two poetry books, one based on nature, and the other based on her personal experiences. Rekanui wrote short stories, typically of her life experiences, and has accumulated them in the form of a notebook.

Hat's off to Rekanui! It was rare to see Rekanui not wearing a hat. She has collected a total of 113 hats! How appropriate that she passed on January 15th which is National Hat Day! This was a women who knew how to put an outfit together, she always dressed for the occasion and looked beautiful.

Rekanui passed away peacefully on January 15, 2021 at her home surrounded by family, with a view of the channel she loved so much.

Rekanui will be missed by many. Her love of life and adventure will continue in the lives of everyone she knew. Rekanui made the world a happier place.