Candace Ann Collins passed away on February 25, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, one day after celebrating her 71st birthday. 

Born on February 24, 1954, Candace lived a generous life: she loved her family and daughter and supported them all to a fault. She also stood up for her beliefs; she was a child of the Civil Rights movement, believed in free speech and the independent spirit, and relished aging, saying "I'm just going say what I want now" and did not give any fudges about it.

She was loved by many families, first by her mother Myrna, who died when "Candy" was only 4 years old. Later her extended family stepped in to share in Candy's upbringing, including her maternal aunt Sharon Jones and grandmother Mertha "Mamaw" Williams, and her paternal aunt Joyce Hinkey and grandmother Alice Gowing. She attended high school in Van Nuys, CA, and made lifelong friends during that time, Diane and Cathy included.

She attended UCLA and lived in Santa Monica, CA, until moving to the San Francisco Bay Area to "join the hippie movement" in the 1970s. The hippies had unfortunately already moved on (an inside joke…she was always ahead of her time, but in this case not so much). So, she became a bookkeeper (though still an idealist), initially guided by a one-time boss turned eventual favorite person, Steve Frew, whose death in 2023 was particularly hard for her despite the passage of time. He was someone who took her seriously when no one else ever had, and he encouraged her to pursue her dreams - she always loved him for that.

It was in Berkeley, Ca, where she met David Bereznai and they had a daughter, Sarah Moorea. Sarah was named for the James Taylor song "Sarah Maria," but as hippies are wont to do, they changed a perfectly good middle name from ‘Maria’ to ‘Moorea’ after the island of Sarah's conception, a detail that has never failed to humiliate.

Having raised a daughter through her primary school years, Ann (having given up the nickname 'Candy' for obvious reasons, sorry to all you Candys out there) went back to school to pursue an Accounting degree and worked as a public accountant/CPA for the next 20+ years, preparing financial statements and taking names! Beloved tax-season avengers Joe and Jen by her side.

Upon an early and well-deserved retirement, she moved to Chicago to be near Sarah, then later they both moved to Portland, Oregon, to return to their West Coast roots. 

She was the strongest person I've ever met. She survived a difficult childhood (that's an understatement), 2 heart attacks, a stroke, and the Big C. She also came back from every insult with grace and good humor. We were looking ahead to her golden years when an unrelated brain cancer claimed her for its own. It was fast and wicked and untimely and cruel. Our hearts are forever broken, but such is life.

Ann was a devoted Democrat and lover of all things political. She wrote to her Congress men and women, and to other peoples' Congress men and women, expressing her ideals and desires for this country and the people in it. She wanted everyone to be happy, healthy, and allowed to live their own lives on their own terms. She was a history buff and could tell you every detail of every empire and dynasty, every revolution and civil war. She loved rock ’n’ roll, Motown, George Harrison, and a good book. She loved NASA and Alan Shepard and the Mercury 7. She loved traveling to the Oregon coast, her cats, and especially her dog-granddaughter Rosie.

Candace Ann is lovingly remembered and mourned by her daughter, Sarah. She is also survived by her aunts Sharon and Joyce, and family David, Marian, Henry and Drew. These relationships continue to be a meaningful part of her life and legacy. I think Rosie misses Grandma most of all.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.