Deanna loved her adopted Idyllwild home after retiring here in 2003. Prior to moving, she worked as a high school counselor for special needs children, social worker, and nursing home and unemployment specialist.
She was an active member of Mountain Quilters and the Idyllwild HELP Center, serving and holding positions on the board for each. She also supported Idyllwild Arts and the Historical Society.
Although born in the Bronx, New York, she was a Southern California girl almost all of her life. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley where she graduated from Polytechnic High School, and then San Fernando Valley State College. Deanna met her husband, Richard Collins, while attending SFVSC in 1963. They were married in 1967.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; her brother, Mike Kleinberg; her sister, Nina Frank; her son, Brian; and daughter, Jody, who is married to Mike Moore and have two children (grandchildren) Joshua and Zackary.
Deanna will be truly missed and her memory treasured by her wide circle of friends and family.
A local memorial is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Idyllwild HELP Center, P.O. Box 660, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/index.
Deanna Collins
We wish to pay tribute to her gentle guidance, big humor and gracious sense of fairness. We shall miss her friendship greatly and send our heartfelt blessings to her family.
- The Idyllwild HELP Center
I just heard the news about Deanna. I send my thoughts and prayers to Jody, Brian and Richard. Deanna was an amazing mom, wife and friend. She will be truly missed. God bless you.