Maria Ursula (Groth) Collier Obituary

Maria was born in Luebeck, Germany, on March 28, 1949. From early childhood, she travelled extensively with her parents and older brother and sister. Her early school years were spent in Luebeck and Baden-Baden (Germany), Colonia Suiza and Montevideo (Uruguay), and later in Montreal and Toronto. By the time she graduated from high school, Maria had attended ten different schools and studied in four different languages. In spite of the frequent moves, she finished at the top of each class and won a number of prizes and scholarships.

She managed to find time for horseback riding, fencing and competitive table tennis (York University Ladies' Table Tennis Champion). Maria obtained a B.A., B. Ed. and an M.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Toronto. Having grown up multilingual, she decided on a career teaching French and German at the University of Toronto Schools (UTS). For many of years she was also cross-appointed to the Faculty of Education where she taught German and French Methodology.

She married Terence James Collier on May 27, 1972 having met him in high school German class in 1965. After 32 years in education Maria retired in 2004. She was then free to pursue more of her life-long interests. She took courses in Asian and Middle-Eastern languages, then turned her attention to the study of anatomy and psychology. Maria also enjoyed classical music, reading and she played the piano and golf. Above all, she loved travelling the world and connecting with people of other countries and cultures thus acquiring a cosmopolitan and global outlook.

Maria passed away in her home after losing her battle with Leukemia. She will be missed by her husband Terry, her nephew Kay Groth and his wife Cecilia. They, as Maria, feel that they owe a great debt of gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the Princess Margaret Hospital for having been by her side every step of the way. Their support and care helped her maintain a high quality of life and made the last stage of her life as easy and enjoyable as possible. Maria also thanks her acquaintances, friends, her nephew Kay and his wife Cecilia and her husband for their support.

There will be no visitation, religious service of any kind or celebration of life. Condolences may be forwarded to http://www.humphreymiles.com.

Maria's last wish is to complete her journey by returning to her home town of Luebeck, where she wants to be laid to rest in her family's grave site.