Megan Collins was born on March 13, 1962, to William and Nancy McGinnis, and she always let her mother know how disappointed she was because she could not wait four more days to be a St. Patrick’s Day baby.
She was born in Seattle, Washington, and moved to Huntsville, Alabama when she was still young. She always recounted how aghast she was when the local pool closed and drained because two black children had swam in it. She loved everyone she met. With a sparkling smile and addictive laugh, everyone I know loved her and being around her.
Her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she attended St. Monica’s Catholic School and Parkway High School. I never considered her to love sports, other than her beloved Cardinals, but she held the record at one of her schools for years, having made the most free throws in basketball while on the school team.
She worked in the bar and restaurant business most of her life. In 1988 she started Occasions Catering and turned that into a restaurant, Fatty’s Inn, from 1993 - 1998.
She and her husband moved to Warrenton in 1998 and have called it home since. People may remember her working at Brewski’s greeting everyone with a joyful “Hi You’ll”. She was one of the best waitresses I have ever known. Kind, considerate and always had a smile, and was happy to share a story or two.
She loved to make jellies and pickles which she sold at the Farmer’s Market in Warrenton. She was the unofficial ambassador, making sure she could tell her friends and customers who has what for sale.
She loved to garden and has a showcase of her talent at my office in town.
She found great happiness in growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers and spent many hours in her many gardens keeping them and her happy.
She is survived by her two sisters and their husbands, Mary Erin Gabbert and Heather Emmett, a niece and nephew, Sarah and Jake Gabbert, and by many cousins and nieces and nephews on her husband’s side.
Megan passed away on June 9, 2021.
She will be missed dearly. Her sister wanted to add a quote she liked by Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over. SMile because it happened”. Her memory will be cherished by all that loved her and she will always be in my heart forever as the boy who always has a crush on you.
Memorials can be made to Loving Hands Hospice, 605 E Main St, Warrenton, Mo.
