Marion Roger (Mackenzie) Collins

On May 13, 2026, Marion’s life journey ended peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by love.

Marion was born June 27, 1933, in Montreal, a daughter of Maxwell and Jean (Fairbairn) Mackenzie. Marion gracefully dealt with two broken hearts…being predeceased by her daughter Beverley Hicks-Lyne (1992), and her beloved husband of 44 years Robert (Robin) Charles Leeming Collins (2024). Marion leaves her daughter Alison Rodriguez (Hicks-Lyne) and son Colin (Cynthia) Kinnear; stepson Chris (Sue) Collins; stepdaughters Michele (Jay), Robin (David); sister Alison (Hugh d. 2024) MacNeil; brother Blair (Kathleen) Mackenzie. She was predeceased by her brother Hugh (Robyn) Mackenzie in 2011. Marion was a fun loving Granny to Brian and Michael Rodriguez, Tegan and Cameron Kinnear, Jordan (Tim) Collins, Kelsey (Ryan) Anderson, and Madison (Graham) Fisk. She was great granny to Lucy, Gracie and Kenny, and a proud Auntie Marion to numerous nieces, nephews and Collins’ family relatives.

Marion was a force to be reckoned with. After her first marriage ended in 1967, (Tim Hicks-Lyne) she quickly established her own independence, focused on providing for her family. Marion loved to ski and earned her Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Level 2. One of her proudest accomplishments was founding the Toronto Ladies Ski Club, later named Love to Ski Club, which she and her partner managed for over 20 years. During the off season, Marion enjoyed working for Ada Mackenzie Sportswear (she was even a model in their catalog). She also volunteered with the Junior League of Toronto.

For over 40 years, her razor-sharp mind helped her husband Robin establish and build a respected financial planning business. As an accountant’s daughter, she balanced everything to the penny! She was a stickler for proper grammar, manners and tradition. She enjoyed when the grandchildren made her smores from the fire pit at the Stony Lake family cottage, along with night sailing, being paddled to church, crosswords, a good book, crisp sunny winter days, and perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs with bacon. Marion prided herself in being ‘put together’ properly ensuring that her lipstick even matched.

It was that twinkle in her eye that truly made her beautiful. This was particularly important during her Elmwood School years in Ottawa, when Marion and her friend Lady Rose Alexander, the daughter of Governor General Earl Alexander of Tunis, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the QE II to attend the dress rehearsal of Princess Elizabeth’s Coronation; they were later presented as debutantes to the newly crowned Queen in 1953. They attended many balls and functions on both sides of the Atlantic to celebrate this historic event. Marion had the privilege of square dancing with Prince Phillip at Government House that year.

Marion’s devotion to her friends and family was at the heart of her being. She was always bringing them together at her favourite places: her parents’ family home in Saint-Sauveur or Ottawa, her Stony Lake cottage “Kincardine”, her home with Robin for 35 years (La Ruche), a cabin at Osler Bluff Ski Club, and in their home in Lakefield, overlooking the Otonabee River. Christmases spent with her sister Alison and all the generations of her family on the east coast were particularly dear to her heart.

Marion’s marriage to Robin was a true love story for 44 years. He was her “darling”, soulmate, gentle giant and 5pm drink pourer. While their Stony Lake roots bonded them, it was some heavy-handed matchmaking antics by her daughter Beverley that began their shared life of world travel (especially love for Canada’s North), adventure, knowledge, laughter, sailing, skiing, mutual respect and love. In her own words, “I have lived a blessed life”.

Marion, Mum, Granny, may your heart be full, whole and at peace. We love you.

The family thanks all the individuals, caregivers, nurses and doctors that helped Marion over the last weeks to be comfortable, loved and in her words, “well fed and watered”. You know who you are!

Celebration of Life to be held jointly for Marion and Robin on Saturday, June 20 from 12pm to 4pm at the family home in Lakefield at 11 Victoria Ave. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us to share memories. In lieu of flowers, with deep gratitude, please consider a donation to the Stony Lake Heritage Foundation www.stonylakeheritage.ca or your local food bank.