Gwyn Ellen Collier

Gwyn Ellen Collier passed away on October 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born on February 17, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri, to her parents Norman and Roxie Taggs.

Gwyn's educational journey began at Northeast High School where she shone as a dedicated student. Her thirst for knowledge propelled her to further heights; she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in December of 2005 and a MBA in August of 2010 from Avila University.  Gwyn had a diverse and fulfilling career. She began her journey as a pharmacy technician, utilizing her knowledge and empathy to provide exceptional care to patients. Her passion for the field led her to become a dedicated teacher of future pharmacy technicians, imparting her wisdom and experience to the next generation.

Beyond her professional life, Gwyn was deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others through volunteer work. She selflessly devoted her time and energy to various organizations such as Crossroads Hospice, where she organized countless special events for individuals under their care. Gwyn also showcased her writing prowess by capturing the stories of those touched by Crossroads Hospice. Her ability to convey each individual's unique journey with compassion and authenticity left an indelible impact on both the readers and the subjects themselves. Not only did she excel in written communication, Gwyn had a keen interest in local community affairs and was a volunteer at the community radio station KKFI where she often broadcast on air. She believed that everyone should be involved in things that affected their community and voted in every local and national election.

Throughout her life, Gwyn possessed a remarkable zeal for maintaining connections with others. She understood the importance of celebrating every occasion in the lives of those dear to her heart. From major milestones to birthdays and anniversaries, Gwyn would compose heartfelt messages in beautifully crafted cards which she diligently sent out to everyone in her life. Although Gwyn was an extraordinary individual, she remained humble and cherished her peaceful existence outside the limelight. Her vibrant personality emitted warmth, joy, and a quick wit that would lift the spirits of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Gwyn's love knew no bounds; she always put others first and empathetically considered their needs before her own. Gwyn was also an animal lover and adored the three dogs, Rachel, Samantha, and Maddie, who she shared her life with at various times. She was an enthusiastic supporter of Wayside Waifs, a no-kill animal shelter.

In her leisure time, Gwyn explored different pursuits that enriched her soul. She possessed a passion for travel, venturing to various corners of the world to embrace new cultures and experiences. Gwyn was loved to travel and visited about 45 states on vacations with her husband Andrew or for Pharmacy Technician conferences. Her favorite places to visit were coastal beaches and she especially enjoyed Galveston and Hawaii.  The printed word held a special place in her heart as she immersed herself in books that transported her to different worlds. Gwyn's artistic spirit flourished through writing poetry and letters, allowing her to express herself creatively and touch the hearts of many. Gwyn also loved to learn about her family tree and did a lot of specialized research at the Independence research Library. On her mom’s side she traced relatives as far back as the 1600's in Scandinavia. Gwyn enjoyed several sports and over the years attended events as diverse as Royals baseball games, indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball, ice hockey and horse and greyhound racing. However, her main sporting interest was following the fortunes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Influenced by her father Norman's love of the team, she watched every game on tv and went to Arrowhead stadium to see them in person on many occasions. She particularly enjoyed going to see the Pro Bowl one year in Hawaii. She was a great fan of the basketball player Michael Jordan since he shared her birthday - 2/17/63. She was delighted when Andrew surprised her on her birthday one year with a trip to see her friend Becky in Detroit, that also included a basketball game where she got to see Michael Jordan play. Gwyn liked to watch Star Trek and Dr. Who on TV. She attended many plays down the years and her favorite theater experience was seeing Star Trek: The Next Generation's Patrick Stewart performing the role of Shakespeare's Macbeth in New York City.

Music played an integral role in Gwyn's life, and she frequently attended concerts to revel in the magic of live performances. Knuckleheads Saloon became a cherished venue where Gwyn would often accompany her husband, Andy, immersed in the vibrant music scene that brought them joy together. Gwyn loved music; her mainstream favorite band was Def Leppard and she saw them several times. She also attended countless rock concerts at Kansas City's older venues such Kemper Arena, The Uptown Theater and Memorial Hall. Over time she developed an interest in other types of music and started seeing groups who played blues, folk, bluegrass, country, Americana, reggae, and all kinds of roots music, primarily at Knucklehead's Saloon. She felt completely at home at this venue and had countless friends among the other attendees, staff, and musicians. It was not unusual for Gwyn and Andy to arrive at the venue at 6pm and not leave until 3am the next morning.

Gwyn Ellen Collier's legacy will continue to shine brightly in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to share moments with her. She will forever be remembered for her unwavering generosity, infectious laughter, profound love for others, and indomitable spirit.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wayside Waifs or 90.1 KKFII