Shirla Jean Collins' Obituary
Shirla Jean Rowe Collins, 68, of Sandy, UT, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 29, 2017, surrounded by family. Born October 26, 1948 to Bert Rowe and Alice Christensen Rowe in Pocatello, ID, she was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
Shirla married and later divorced Richard (Louie) Knudsen. She married Merlin Howard with whom she had 2 daughters: Hillary Howard Davis and Alyson Howard Balter; they later divorced. She then met and married, the love of her life J. Stewart Collins, who preceded her in death, May 1, 2014.
Shirla graduated from Pocatello High School then continued her education at Idaho State where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and eventually continued on to earn her Master’s degree in Education.
Shirla spent over 30 years touching the lives of many young students. She specialized as a special education teacher as well as a reading specialist.
She taught in Blackfoot, ID, The Fort Hall Indian Reservation in ID, and then later moved to UT, where she taught at Millcreek Elementary, and Calvin Smith Elementary in which she retired in June of 2011.
Shirla truly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest! She had many great loves and true friends, up until the very end. Shirla loved her family, her dog Derby, her many different groups of friends, teachers, TNO group, Book Babes, a long list of childhood friends, and hot air balloonists.
Shirla was proud to be a licensed hot air balloon pilot since the mid 1980’s. She participated in flying events throughout the West. One of her brightest highlights was flying with Stew, in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
Shirla truly was a one of a kind and was a firecracker even in her final hours, keeping us all laughing in her hospital room.
We would like to thank the STICU nursing staff at IMC for your dedication to our beloved mother. Particularly Jami “STOP IT!”, Matt “sweet spot”, and Zach “face” who began their shift with a kiss to my mom’s forehead and often ended it with the flip of a bird to each other.
Shirla was preceded in death by her parents; Bert and Alice Rowe, brother; Robert Rowe, and sister, Caroline Rowe.
Shirla is survived by sister, Janet Rowe Hancock; daughters: Hillary Howard Davis (Jason Shum), Alyson Howard Balter (Adam), and her 6 grandchildren: Rylee Davis, Gavin Balter, Jordyn Balter, Jadyn Davis, Justin Davis, and Maddison Balter.
“Life is short. break the RULES FORGIVE quickly, KISS slowly, LOVE truly, LAUGH uncontrollably, And NEVER REGRET Anything that made you SMILE.”
Please join us for a warm celebration in honoring the life of Shirla Collins Saturday February 4th from 1:00pm-3:00pm at The Woods on Ninth (6775 S 900 E).
In lieu of flowers please bring a favorite memory and/or story (we know you have one ) for us to look back and share with our kids for years to come.
What’s your fondest memory of Shirla?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shirla?
Share a story where Shirla's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shirla you’ll never forget.
How did Shirla make you smile?