Dorothy L. Collier (Tuck) 91, of Robinson, KS formerly of St. Joseph, MO passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 30, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. Dorothy was born March 13, 1932 to Paul and Mary Gertrude (Degan) Tuck. Dorothy graduated from Sacred Heart Convent, class of 1949. In 1951 she married Clifford Jennings and they had 5 children, Dorothy and Clifford later divorced. In 1980, Dorothy married Donald J. Collier and they lived in Chicago, IL for several years. During that time, Dorothy became a Chicago Cubs fan and if she wasn’t visiting Wrigley Field she would watch her “Cubbies” on television. They moved back to St. Joseph, MO and were members of St. Joseph Cathedral. Dorothy worked many years at Jim’s Place and Beaty BBQ in St. Joseph. After Don’s death, several years later she moved to Robinson, KS with her beloved significant other, Robert (Bob) VanEpps. While living in Robinson she was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church of Hiawatha.
Along with the love for her family she enjoyed spending time doing crossword puzzles, word seeks and watching Westerns. Family members never celebrated a birthday without a card from her, no matter where they had moved to. Family gatherings always included her amazing potato salad, which she always made plenty for everyone to enjoy after the gathering. Her grandchildren would say she made the best Pineapple Up-Side Down cake on the planet. She spent many years hosting sleepovers with her grandchildren and always teaching them proper etiquette. Dorothy was a collector of purses and sandals and she loved to have her nails polished nicely. When she was asked about the type of purse she liked, she would always say, the bigger the better. Her grandkids would joke that grandma was carrying around a suitcase when she would walk in with her purse.
Preceding her in death was her son David P. Jennings, Grandson Brian P. Jennings, Granddaughter Amanda (Jennings)Knowlton, Great- Grandson Dacobi K.R. Hughes, brother Bernard J. Tuck, and husbands. Preceding her in death also, her beloved significant other of ten years, Robert (Bob) Van Epps, March 11th, 2017.
Dorothy is survived by Son Micheal (Connie) Jennings, Goodyear, AZ. Daughters Dorothy E. (Garry) Cox, St. Joseph, Mo, Cathy (Murray) Griswold, Robinson, KS and Shirley (Kevin) Cassity, Rushville, MO. She is also survived by Nineteen Grandchildren, Thirty-six Great-Grandchildren, ten Great-Great Grandchildren, Sister, Evelyn James, 8 Nieces and 3 Nephews. Also Surviving Bob and Dorothy are sons Bruce VanEpps of Hiawatha, KS, Ron (Cindy) VanEpps of Hays, KS, and daughter Linda (Randy) Roberts of Savannah, MO and their children.
