Lanaya “Tina” Collier, 43, Columbia City, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2016, following an auto accident east of town. Born July 19, 1972, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Roger W. Collier and Carol (Hatch) Lortie.

She grew up in Huntertown and Adams County before moving to the Columbia City area and attended Columbia City Joint High School. Tina was always on the go. One of her favorite activities was to drive around. She was very caring and giving and always there not only to extend a ride, but to do whatever she could to help someone out. She truly had a heart of gold. She loved being with her family and her grandbabies were the most important part of her life.

“Grief never ends….But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, it’s not a lack of faith….It is the price of love.

She was in our home several times a day, always either on her way to help someone, or on her way back from helping someone. She more often than not had her grand kids on each arm and was stressed out, but always smiling.

I remember her sitting in our living room on a chair we have and her feet never reached the floor. I remember one time when she walked in the front door and saw me running down the hallway naked. She started knocking after that.

We had our moments over the years that’s for sure. What I remember most though is she was always there for everyone. Everyone. Always. The next few hours, days, weeks, and months are going to be excruciating for everyone who’s lives she touched. It’s crazy how someone who is such a huge part of our lives, can be gone in the blink of an eye.

Grief never ends…But it changes. We’ll get through this, emotions are running wild, focus is all but lost. But as the hours and days turn to weeks and months, the emotions will become more focused. Memories will be more often accompanied by smiles than tears.

It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Tina Collier looked past all our flaws, she never held a grudge. She got passed it and just kept supporting us and was always there for everyone. Everyone. Always. As we go through this passage we need to remember that we are not alone. There’s a huge circle of people who’s lives she touched. They’re all here with us.

Grief is not a sign of weakness, it’s not a lack of faith….It is the price of love. We need to reach out to each other, and support each other. We all lost a piece of ourselves today, that piece can never be replaced, but the fact that we are all missing the same piece needs to bring us together. We all have always been complete enough for Tina. Everyone. Always.

-James Glick”

She is survived by her children: Chad (Megan) White; Sasha Jones; Kristina Jones; Desiree Jones; and Jason Jones Jr.; mother and stepfather: Carol and Edward Lortie; siblings: Charles Collier; Damion Collier; Jessica (Eric) Beachy; Jennifer Richy Cook; Joshua Lortie; and Brian Lortie; seven grandchildren; fiancé, Roger Carlson; and former husbands: Tim Treesh; and Jason Jones. She was preceded in death by her father and uncle: Donald Lortie.

Her visitation will be held from 2-3:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. with Pastor Tim Scroggs officiating. A private burial will take place Tuesday at South Park (Annex) Cemetery.