Ms. Collins had continued to live independently in Surrey, with some assistance from family and friends, until a week before her death. As a result, Ms. Collins was scarcely known in the United States. She was also overlooked at times even in Canada, where jazz “occupied a decidedly marginal place” in popular culture for years, according to Canadian jazz scholar Marian Jago. “In those days we were so poor that we didn’t even have hot water,” Ms. Collins recalled. Survivors include four children, Rick Collins, Judith Collins Maxie, and Barry and Tom Collins; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
