Dr. Reneé Patricia Collins
October 14, 1950 - February 24, 2022
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Dr. Reneé Patricia Collins
October 14, 1950 - February 24, 2022
Obituary
Dr. Reneé Patricia Collins was born on October 14, 1950, in Harlem, New York to Reynold Morgan and Rovena Joe. She passed away peacefully on February 24, 2022, in Bellingham, Washington with her immediate family by her side. Reneé was a dedicated wife, devoted mother, teacher, mentor, friend, and community leader. Reneé leaves behind a beautiful legacy filled with love, laughter, and an infectious sense of joyfulness. She consistently carried herself with an exceptional sense of style, grace, class, and dignity.
She dedicated her life to helping others, building community, and made a positive impact on everyone she encountered along the way. Her passion for education stemmed from her upbringing and she obtained her personal educational goals by earning three degrees, including her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. Reneé retired from Western Washington University as Associate Dean of Students after more than 30 years of extraordinary service. Born with a fierce work ethic, she significantly changed the higher educational landscape to be more inclusive and supportive for students of color and other underrepresented groups through her work and community engagement. She founded the NAACP Northern Puget Sound Chapter and received the Community Builders Fellowship appointment by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, training at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in the process.
She served as a mentor to countless students and young professionals, investing her time in others to help them become their best self while giving back to her community whenever the opportunity presented itself. In her spare time Reneé loved to travel, dance, laugh, cook, read, volunteer, and spend quality time with friends and family. Everyone who interacted with Reneé knew her as an inspirational person with an incredibly beautiful soul. She was truly a beacon of light in the community. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Frederick Collins, her son Frederick Shariff Collins Jr., her daughter LaShawn Reneé Morgan, as well as many extended family members and an abundance of friends.
We were all blessed to have known her and she will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
21 responses to Dr. Reneé Patricia Collins
Christina Castorena says:
March 14, 2022
My condolences to Renee’s family. I have many fond memories of Renee. She loved to dance, eat good food, and have deep conversations. She had a big smile that would light up the room. I will miss her.
Tom and Sonia Hayes says:
March 14, 2022
We are so very sorry to hear this news. We’ve known Renee for many years. She gave her heart and time to the students of WWU. We will miss her beautiful smile, her love for old school music and dancing and her big heart! Our prayers are with the family.
Dr Marilyn Chu says:
March 14, 2022
I attended a WWU Masters in Adult Education with Renee and we were both students of Dr. Violet Malone. Renee was one of the hardest working and most dedicated professionals I ever met. She made a huge difference in every group she joined. My thoughts are with the family.
Carrie Blackwood says:
March 14, 2022
Thinking of you LaShawn. You are so loved. I have never knows a brighter light than yours. I know that she lit that in you. Heartbreaking for you sweet one.
Noel Bain says:
March 15, 2022
I met Dr. Collins at a statewide faculty and staff education event, and she immediately impressed me with her desire to mentor students and stand for their success. I have been truly blessed to know such a generous, phenomenal, educational warrior; my heart goes out to her family.