Mom’s memorial celebration

We are so grateful to those who were able join us for Mom’s memorial service. The whole day was a meaningful tribute to who she was and how she lives on in all of us. Here are the readings we chose to create a space for our grieving and healing.

We are here today to honor the memory of Patricia Aubin Collier, who was our mother, sister, friend, teacher, confidante, dog whisperer … and, of course, leash wrangler … Read more.

“Life from a different point of view”

From Laurie:

I had recently lost my sweet little Lhasa, Pixie, to old age when my husband first wrote to Pat to set up a visit. It was immediate love. Pat’s home was so crowded with Pixie look-a-likes I didn’t want to leave. They were the most beautiful pups I had ever seen. David was enamored too. So, we ended up with two.

Happy Mother’s Day

In preparing for Mom’s memorial service this week, I began going through her papers to gain more insight into her life experiences, especially when she was younger.

I was surprised to come across a number of letters and course papers in which she captured the essence of her life beautifully.

On this Mother’s Day, I offer you these recollections by our mother, in her own words.

Read more.

“Uncompromising passion”

From Cassandra:

Pat was a remarkable woman of uncompromising passion.

My favorite memories were the times we room shared at the National Specialties.  We would bring our own gourmet coffee for the little room coffee maker and biscotti or some other morning treat.  And of course wine — red wine — in a box and drunk from water glasses.

Her dogs would romp the room and rub their faces on my pillows — I know they sensed I hated that!  And Seeker would toss his favorite toy (that he stole from my dog) in the air and catch it for half an hour, to everyone’s amazement.

“Minds of their own”

From Marcia:

As the weather gets warmer, I realize that almost a year has passed since I met Pat and her dogs. I still have the message she left on my answering machine to tell me how happy she was that I had taken my forever dogs Chynna and Buddah to live with me.

Pat told me they would take a while to relax and let me see their real personalities. She was so right. Chynna now eats part of her food and then guards her dish which upsets Buddah who never met a dish of dog food he didn’t want. Buddah then talks to me to let me know how unfair little Chynna is being to my big buddy. I know Pat is laughing over their antics.

Pat told me she wanted to breed dogs with a friendly personality but lhasas have minds of their own. Chynna and Buddah are a delightful mix of Pat and Lhasa determination to be their own persons.

“The blue lamp”

From Arlene:

I got to know your mom when I bought her ’85 Honda wagon. When my husband and I were out for a walk past her house and saw the Honda sitting in the front yard at a time when I was looking for a good used car, we checked it out.

Pat and I made a date to take a test drive, and now every time I pass the spot where we ended up that day, I think of her and that drive.She loved the car and hated to part with it, but needed something bigger for transporting dogs. Since I drove past her house often, she got to see the car again and again.

One time I hadn’t seen Pat much or activity around the house, so I asked why that was. She told me that, as long as her blue lamp could be seen in the window, she was still there.

I couldn’t be called a real friend of Pat’s — we didn’t see a lot of each other on a regular basis — but we truly liked each other and were always happy when we had a chance to chat. I knew her well enough to know what a special person she was.

I lost my own mother two years ago this month, so I have thought a lot about legacy and the meaning of a life. I wish you a treasure trove of good and lasting memories.