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Dorothy Collins
Date Of Birth:October 11, 1912
Date Of Death:February 21, 2010

Dorothy Ellen (Craig) Collins died on February 21, 2010 at the Meadowood Health Pavilion.  She was born on October 11, 1912 in Evansville, Indiana to parents Edmund Lawrence Craig and Mabel Irene (Ross) Craig.  She is survived by her son, David Harrington Collins, and by many nieces and nephews and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Western College for Women and then received a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago.  After coming to Bloomington, Indiana she married, had a son, and began a career at Indiana University in Bloomington.  She initially worked there as a statistician for the Kinsey Institute and subsequently worked as the assistant director of the Bureau of Institutional Research,  a research assistant in the Office of President, and finally as a research and editorial associate in the Office of University Chancellor.  She retired from IU in 1992 and co-authored the book, "Indiana University: A Pictorial History."

At various times in Bloomington she served as president of the University Women's Club, president of the Theatre Circle, a vice president of United Way of Monroe County, president of the Monroe County Comprehensive Health Planning Council, and president of the board of directors of Bloomington Hospital.  She served on the board of the Friends of Lilly Library and as an adviser to Mortar Board, the Office of Women's Affairs, and the Collins Living-Learning Center.  In addition, she was the Secretary of the Founding Board of Directors for IU Retirement Community, Inc., which later became the Meadowood Retirement Community.

She was a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award from the Community Service Council, the Indiana Governor's award for volunteer service, the Gertrude Rich Award from the IU Alumni Association, the Leather Medal from Sigma Delta Chi (the Society of Professional Journalists), IU's E. Ross Bartley Award, and the The President's Medal for Excellence at IU.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, William Craig, David Craig (her twin), and Edmund Craig, and by her husband Ralph Leonard Collins, who was Vice President and Dean of Faculties of IU at the time of his death.

No visitation or services are planned.  Those wishing to contribute written statements to a memorial for Dorothy can contact the Director of Resident Services at the Meadowood Retirement Community for options on how to do that.  Those wishing to make memorial financial contributions can do so to the Dorothy Craig Collins Memorial Fund at the Indiana University Foundation.

Allen Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

 


  • From: Bernadette Cinkoske
    Location:Indianapolis, Indiana

    David, I am so sorry for your loss. Mothers hold a special place in our hearts and it is hard to let go. Bernie


  • From: Elinor Craig
    Location:Kentfield, CA

    Aunt Dottie was a loved member of our family. My father's sister. And she was a hoot. I'm sure many people remember her as a major domo at IU. I remember her doing antics at family gatherings. She enchanted all of us with her humor. I remember her as a delightful human being. And I wonder how I was so blessed with such a great aunt. Elinor Ross Craig