BARBARA E (RAY) COLLINSON

Barbara E. Collinson of Libby, 80, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2021.

Barbara was the daughter of Delbert and Mary Ray of  McLeansboro, Illinois.  Barbara graduated from High School when she was 15 years old and later attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale where she completed her B.S. and Masters degrees in Business Education and was employed at Southern Illinois University until 1984. Barbara was previously married to Larry Murphy and they divorced in 1985.  Barbara was a curriculum developer and instructor at various Colleges and Universities, including Southern Illinois University, Western Wyoming College, Central Valley Community College, Apache Junction, Arizona,  Pellissippi State College, Knoxville Tennessee, Basic University Education Center, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Vienna Correctional Center, Vienna, Illinois and Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Barbara met Gordon Collinson in Wyoming and they were married Jan. 17, 1986 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Barbara taught at Central Valley community College in Apache Junction, Arizona in 1987-1988.  Barbara and Gordon moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1988 where Gordon completed a B.S. degree in Technological and Adult Education and Barbara taught at Pellissippi State College.  In 1991 Gordon and Barbara accepted teaching positions at Basic University Education Center, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, where they developed curriculum and taught until 1996.

Returning to Illinois Barbara taught classes at Vienna Correctional Center and Gordon Completed a Masters degree in Workforce Education and Development at Southern Illinois University in 1998. In 1999 both Gordon and Barbara returned to the United Arab Emirates to develop curriculum and teach classes at Zayed University in Dubai. In 2001 Barbara and Gordon returned to Illinois where Barbara retired from teaching and worked for several Doctors doing medical transcription. Barbara was involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver on Feb. 11, 2011 and became totally disabled. In 2013 Barbara and Gordon returned to Gordon’s home town of Libby, where they have resided until Barbara’s health declined and she spent her last few days at Libby Care Center.

Barbara and Gordon enjoyed numerous travels together, while living in the United Arab Emirates, including sailing down the Nile River, riding camels up to the Pyramids in Egypt, touring London, Rome, Cairo, Hong Kong, Jordan and Oman. Barb and Gordon also vacationed in Alaska, Canada and Mexico providing for many joyous years together.

Barbara is survived by nieces and nephews in Florida, Indiana and Pennsylvania;  her husband Gordon, Gordon’s daughter Brenda (Tony) Rebo; Brenda’s daughters Ashley Shaw and Jessica (Jon) Ames, great-grandchildren Jaxen Ames and Journee Ames, J.R. (Larona) Rebo, great-grandchildren Ryder and Renleigh Rebo and Teri Berschneider (George), great grandchildren Olivia and George Berschneider, all from the Libby area; She is survived by Terry (Carol) Collinson and family, Libby; Gordon’s son Craig (Marty) Collinson and grandchildren Huston, Jasper and Sophie, Columbia, Maryland.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

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