Zelda "Joy" Collas' Obituary
Zelda “Joy” Collas embraced and lived life to its fullest. It was a life filled with adventure, travels, and a love of learning, teaching, family, and friends. She was a voracious reader and writer which in retirement gave her immense joy by writing and sending cards. Her favorite cards were from the Canadian artist, Rae Mate’, who featured exuberant crocodiles enjoying everyday activities, like a picnic, tea party, and even an ice cream cone. Joy identified with the crocodile as a nonconformist, yet lovable character.
Joy traveled to South America in her 20s during the 1960s and took a trip down the Amazon where she said she received thousands of mosquito bites, forever becoming immune to them. She met her future husband during her travels through Peru, where her three children were born. She decided after four years in Peru, it would be a better education and life for the family in Ohio, so they packed everything up. Her father helped her purchase the home, where she lived for close to 60 years. Her home was across the street from a park where she loved watching her children climb the jungle gym and tall majestic oak trees. Joy attained a Master’s Degree in Linguistics at Case Western Reserve University while working full-time and raising her family. Joy’s idol was Noam Chomsky and like him, she pontificated about ideas and thoughts. She loved writing poetry and at the age of 90 wrote, “The end of summer is here, for me, a bit terrifying now, but the leaves are starting to give their final gifts – a burst of color everywhere. I feast my eyes, like the final taste of a delicious ice cream.”
Joy defied the odds in so many ways and despite health challenges through the years, took road trips well into her eighties. During her road trips she exuded the enthusiasm of a 20-year-old, while meeting and making new friends and sharing life stories during the journey. Joy wrote about her road trips in a piece titled, Road Trip Blues “I was on my yearly road trip, getting in the car, not worrying about where I was headed, somewhere or nowhere. McDonald’s was my restaurant of choice, always a clean restroom, and always someone at the next table ready to talk about their town and learning about yours. Mostly small talk, always how we were different, how we were the same. Always at least one or two surprises. Then on to the next destination.”
Joy loved teaching and writing and at the age of 92 taught a family friend’s son about writing and helped her lifetime friend edit a children's book. Joy was always willing to help others and make a wonderful difference in their lives. In Joy’s own words, “I like to think that my life has been significant – not wealthy or beautiful or brilliant but significant – that is I’ve made a positive difference in some person’s life.” Joy passed peacefully as she always wanted in her own home at the age of 92 with family and friends by her side. We will forever love and miss her.
What’s your fondest memory of Zelda?
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Share a story where Zelda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Zelda you’ll never forget.
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