Vita May Dow passed away on March 18, 2023 at Waverly Place Memory Care in Albany, Oregon. She was born on September 21, 1932 to Francis Albert and Ada May (Rhodes) Collier in Tacoma, Washington. Vita had three older brothers, Morris (Bud) Snyder, Leroy (Roy) Snyder, and Frank Collier and two younger brothers, John and Richard (Dick) Collier.

She attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950 and began working full time at Washington Hardware Company. It was there that she met her future husband, Neal W Dow. They started dating late in 1950 and were engaged to be married early in 1951 and married later that same year on September 29th. A few years later, they had their only child, Stephen W Dow, who was born on December 31, 1954.

Vita left Washington Hardware Company because of her pregnancy and to be home with their son for his first year of life. When she returned to work she shifted her career into the insurance industry and worked in this field for over 22 years. She began with the General Adjustment Bureau as a secretary in 1956 and worked her way up to a Senior Secretary. She eventually left General Adjustment Bureau, did some free lance work for over a year, then went to work for Unigard followed by employment at Crawford and Company as a licensed multiple-line claims adjuster/senior analyst. Following this employment, she once again did some free lance work and legal work until she took a position at the Associated Sub-Contractors of the State of Washington in a part time role assisting her dear friend Betty Susan-Polansky. This was followed by another season of free lance work until 1989 when she went to work for the New Tacoma Cemeteries and Funeral Home. She eventually became the Executive Secretary for Jack Harding who was the president of the company. She finally retired in June 2000 from her working life.

While working in the insurance industry, Vita became involved with the National Insurance Women's Association and worked her way up through the ranks until she became president of the local region of insurance women. She enjoyed the friendships formed in this organization and the travel to various conventions around the United States. She formed many life-long friends through her years in this wonderful association.

Vita had a rich faith. As a young person she attended the Park Chapel Church of God in the Upper Tacoma District. Later Vita and Neal worshipped at the First Church of God in the Midland area of Tacoma. Then they worshipped at the Eastside Christian Church for a season before returning to the Tacoma First Church of God which sold their property, relocated and became known as the Evergreen Community Church of God. In these church communities, Vita got involved with music programs, serving on various committees, helping with weddings and funerals, etc.

Vita loved music. She enjoyed listening to it, as well as singing. While attending Lincoln High School she thoroughly loved singing in the concert choir. She regularly sang in church choirs, trios, duets, and solo's, too. She and Neal enjoyed a  wide variety  of music, but when it came to gospel music, they loved the good old hymns and Bill Gaither's music.

It should also be noted that Vita was an avid reader her entire life. She was never able to attend college, but during the years in insurance work she probably earned an equivalent degree in this area of study. However, she read broadly and daily. Always the Tacoma News Tribune and this followed by whatever book she was consuming at the time.

Vita was predeceased by her parents Francis and Ada Collier, her brothers Morris (Bud) Snyder, Leroy (Roy) Snyder, Frank Collier, John Collier and Richard (Dick) Collier, as well as all of their spouses. She is survived by her son Stephen, his wife, Kathy, their two children Brittany (John) and Jordan (Megan) and four grandchildren: Gabriel, Norah, Wesley, and Hailie.

Vita's family wishes to express their heart-felt appreciation for the good care she received at Waverly Place and also with Samaritan Evergreen Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Dupont Presbyterian Church at 502 Barksdale Avenue Dupont, WA 98327. Reception to follow.