Lucia Lisa Collison, 57 of West Des Moines and formerly of Carroll, died Saturday, February 8, 2020 at her home in West Des Moines following a brief illness.
Burial will take place at a later date in St. John’s Cemetery in Arcadia. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll.
Lucia was born on July 28, 1962 in Carroll, Iowa the daughter of David Collison and Diane Wittrock. She had a wonderful childhood with her five brothers, growing up on one of the family farms, which was originally owned by her great-uncle, Frank Collison. She attended Kuemper Catholic High School, playing violin in the Kuemper Orchestra and as a cheerleader alongside friends she remained close with right up until the time of her passing. Lucia graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Journalism, which she used in her career in administration companies and nonprofit agencies in Des Moines. During this time, she volunteered for local arts organizations as well as the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, one of the great joys of her life. Lucia was deeply spiritual, being actively involved in Valley Evangelical Free Church, West Des Moines, as well as her AA groups, which comprised some of her core friendships. Lucia truly lived life with a cheerful and generous heart. She was loved and endeared by family and a diverse range of friends.
Lucia is survived by her father, David of Carroll, her mother, Diane, of Pasadena CA, and five brothers: Dr. Christopher Collison (Mary), Morton, IL, Charles, Silverthorne, CO, Nicholas (Melissa), Frederick, CO, Paul (Isabel) Barcelona and Madrid, Spain and Michael (Dawn), Agoura Hills, CA, her friend and former spouse, Bill McPhedran, her extended family of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Lucia’s immediate family & friends will have a private gathering this weekend to celebrate her life. Lucia’s family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to The American Cancer Society/Des Moines Chapter, 1717 Ingersoll Avenue, Ste 111, Des Moines, IA, 50309 or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 N.E. 22nd St., Des Moines, IA, 50313. As Lucia’s family, we wish to express our profound gratitude to the ACS/Des Moines Chapter, the John Stoddard Cancer Center staff and volunteers, and her mentoring program at Valley Evangelical Free Church for your kindness, friendship and service.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours, may the fluency of the oceans be yours,may the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak to mind your life. ~ John O’Donohue
