Kelsey Collins
When asked about Kelsey Collins, a former Mammoth resident who died this week in Oregon, Keith Hofer put it succinctly: “I would let her marry me … either way.”
The comment both referred to Kelsey’s role in performing numerous weddings and eulogies in Mammoth while she lived here, and also referred to her vivacious and magnetic personality.
As friend Bonnie Colgan, who took the photographs on this page, said, “You always knew when she was in the room … she had more passion for life than anyone, and people latched onto that.”
Which obviously made her decision to take her own life this week one that has left many confused and conflicted.
As Colgan said, relaying a comment made by the singer Yve Evans, “God must be happy … and pissed off [at the same time].”
As Stacey Powells wrote this week, “Kelsey Collins was an acclaimed author, elder advocate, healer, and vivacious speaker acknowledged by her peers for her expertise in elder care and her life’s work towards redefining the caregiver-caregivee experience.
Kelsey’s daily, moment by moment practice was to keep her heart wide open, no matter what. She assisted and inspired others to do the same, by reminding us that we don’t die any differently than we live. Her book, ‘Exit Strategy,’ reminded us that we have control over how we think about death, and possibly even the way it will look when we transition from this world to the next.”
From Collins’ website: Near her Sisters, Oregon home, Kelsey speaks regularly at the Spiritual Awareness Center at the Old Stone Church in Bend, Oregon on a series entitled “What are We Waiting For?” and at Wholistic Compass Workshops with Partners in Care in Bend on coping with and overcoming illness and life changes.
She had also started a very popular radio show in May, 2014.
Kelsey was preceded in death by her son Chase, and the love of her life, Bruce Capitain.
There will be a Celebration of Kelsey’s life this coming summer on the backside of Horseshoe Lake, one of her favorite places to meditate in the Mammoth Lakes area. Date and time TBA.
Again, returning to the theme of Collins as counselor, friend, confidante:
“If you were in pain, and you needed her, she was there.” -Colgan
“If it were that kind of problem, she was good at talking you through it. She helped everybody. She was awesome.” -Hofer
