Carmel Valley

Dorothy “Buffie” Collins, of Carmel Valley, passed away peacefully from natural causes on December 11, 2024. She was 86 years old.

Buffie was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Salomon and Dorothy (Scarborough) Trevino on August 8, 1938. The family moved to the Monterey Peninsula in the 1950s where Buffie graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1956. Buffie married Alexander “Chip” Collins on February 11, 1960, in Carmel Valley, where Chip became Fire Chief of the local department, and Buffie was active in the Ladies Auxiliary.

When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she always answered, “My children and my grandchildren”.

Her main focus in life was always her family, and she also had a love of animals and giving back to her community. For over a decade she volunteered as the guide dog puppy leader for the local 4-H club. She also competed in sheep dog trials across the country, and for many years you may have seen her with her border collies tending to her flock of sheep at Mission Ranch Restaurant in Carmel. Even into her 70s, she was still active with her border collies on Pebble Beach golf courses moving geese off the greens.

Buffie is preceded in death by her husband Alexander Collins, Jr.; parents Salomon and Dorothy Trevino; sister Margaret Bennett; and daughter Dorothy Collins-Morse.

She is survived by her daughters Katharine Wylie (Dave) of Albion, Patricia Cline (Dave), and Sharon Setliff (Tom) of Carmel Valley; grandchildren Cyrus Morse of Seaside, Michael Machado of New Mexico, Nicole Setliff-Hart of Utah, Kristin Setliff-Blackwell of Carmel Valley, Wyatt Erisman of Gridley; five great-grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.

Her legacy is one of unwavering devotion to her family and the countless lives she touched. Her life, sense of humor, laughter, and love will forever be cherished by her family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at The Golden Gate Cemetery in San Bruno on January 3, 2025, at noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dorothy Collins’ name to Guide Dogs for the Blind at donate.guidedogs.com.