Obituary of April Irene Dains-Collins

It is with a heavy heart that we report, our Most Beloved Angel, returned home on 10 August 2019 at 8:26pm... April Irene Brooks-Dains-Collins, AKA "Cookie", was welcomed to the world in Iowa City Iowa on 19 April 1944 by her mother, Lois Maxine Connette-Brooks, an avid gardener and devoted housewife, and father, John Foster Brooks, a WWII Veteran, US Navy Radar man on the USS Reeves (DE-156/APD-52), Restaurant owner/operator, music conductor, painter, among other vocations, and four sisters, Joan Del Brooks-Crossett, Rose Mary Brooks-Hurst, Margie Vivian Brooks-DeMario, and Julie Marquee Brooks-Hall-McGraw. April, the baby of the family, spent the first 6 years of her life helping her mother in the family garden and around the house. Her family moved to Tucson around 1950 where she unknowingly met her first and second husbands at a very early age. She attended L.M. Prince Elementary, Amphi Jr High and Amphi High School. She moved to Huntington Beach California for a short time in 1962 to stay with relatives and also attended High School there as well. When she returned April was courted by and married to Victor Dains Jr. in 1962, a Semi-truck driver and Railroad Switchman/Brakeman/Conductor. In 1963 they welcomed their first son, William Billy-Guy Dains, and in 1966 their second son, Donald Ray Dains. They moved to Eugene Oregon in 1972, then onto Kingman Arizona and back to Tucson in 1973. In 1976 they were blessed with their third child, a daughter, Jami Lynn Dains, and following her birth, they moved back to Eugene Oregon in 1977, and as before, due to a lack of railroad work, moved back to Tucson shortly thereafter. In 1980 April unfortunately separated from Victor, but as fate would have it, in 1981 she reunited with her childhood friend and true love, Marvin Andrew Collins, who had one son from a previous marriage, Marvin Andrew Collins II, and who was also happily welcomed into the family. Marvin hiked, hunted and fished around the mountains of the southwest, and was also 1st chair at both the Tucson and Phoenix Symphonies Orchestras on different occasions, and continued to play in many smaller groups and brass quintets over the years. Marvin was a USAF Veteran, classically trained musician, (French Hornist) he was an expert chess player, an avid outdoorsman and a professional photographer whose work is enjoyed by all who view it. Following his retirement, he retrained then worked as a Freelance IT Professional from 1999 to 2006 and then as a driver for Enterprise Car Rental all while pursing his life long passions, Bird Photography, Hiking, Fly Fishing and playing French Horn. A divorcé himself, Marvin proposed to and re-married his childhood friend and true love, April Irene Brooks-Dains on 2 November 2006 in Tucson, Arizona. After many beautiful and memorable years together Marvin sadly passed on 23 July 2013. April has done many wonderful things in life, she's been a waitress, bartender, ward clerk nurse, housewife, (a great cook) she loved going to swap meets and yard sales, gardening and caring for her family, but her greatest joys in life were her family, children, critters, caring for her mother and especially her grandchildren as they grew up around her. Always happy and smiling, April continued to love life and everything about it, especially the people she's been so blessed with along the way. She was quick to joke and laugh, enjoys all types of music, dancing, loves animals, likes to celebrate and has been know to be the life of the party. Her guiding principles: ~ LET LOVE LEAD! ~ PLANT FLOWERS! ~ SMILE! ~ LOVE EVERYONE! ~ BE KIND! ~ HAVE FUN! ~ CELEBRATE LIFE! ~ LAUGH! ~ EAT CAKE! ~ LIFE IS GOOD! ~ HAPPY-HAPPY-JOY-JOY! ~ April passed away as she lived life, surrounded by loved ones, and with a smile on her face. She was preceded by her Parents, John Foster Brooks, Lois Maxine Connette-Brooks, four sisters, Joan Del Brooks-Crossett, Rose Mary Brooks-Hurst, Margie Vivian Brooks-DeMario, and Julie Marquee Brooks-Hall-McGraw, and second husband, Marvin Andrew Collins I. She is survived by her first husband, Victor Dains Jr., two sons, William Guy Dains, Donald Ray Dains, her daughter Jami Lynn Dains, step-son Marvin Andrew Collins II, daughter in-laws, Anna Pauline Cruz-Dains, Diane Marie Fusco-Dains and Lori Elaine Collins, son in-law Shawn Davis Sr., 9 nieces, 8 nephews, 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a 13th that is on the way!!! A Beloved friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, great aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, she truly was so very special, an Angel sent to Bless us all with her Divinity and Grace. April is deeply loved and will be truly missed by everyone whose heart was touched by her peaceful nature, unconditional love, unyielding kindness and her beautiful gentle soul. "Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation..." We love you Momma, our guiding light... Float free of time, our Most Beloved Angel... And until we meet again, may your Soul Rest in Everlasting Peace... A committal service will take place at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, AZ on 8/19/19 at 11:00 AM. Please arrive at 10:30 AM and park with the procession at the Administration Building. The procession will depart to the chapel at 10:45 AM. Memorial condolences can be sent to the family via online at adairfuneralhomes.com or sent to Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 S, Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635.