Obituary of Tarlisa Ann Collier

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” 

-Shakespeare

Tarlisa passed away surrounded by her family on July 2, 2023

Tarlisa Ann (Peterson) Collier was born August 14, 1972 in Manila, Philippines and was adopted June 11, 1973. Her older sister could not pronounce her first name, so Tarlisa became Tisa. After the Peterson family returned to the US, Tisa was sealed to her family on March 28, 1975 in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After four years in Aurora, Colorado, she moved to Henderson, Nevada, where she first met those who would become lifelong friends. Known for her big hair and even bigger personality, Tisa attended Vo-Tech High School, completing the cosmetology program, and then officially began styling hair. She had unofficially been cutting the hair of those brave enough (mostly her dad and brother) since she was 10 years old. She married Perryn Collier on February 17, 1996 in the Las Vegas Temple of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and together, they followed Perryn’s career with the FBI to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Yigo, Guam, and then Phoenix, Arizona.  Along the way, they were blessed with three children: Tyson, Peyton, and Risa.

Throughout the many places she lived, Tisa forged trails of kindness, inclusivity, and Christ-like service. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tisa embodied the characteristics of service, faith, and charity, along with an infectious laugh. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in October 2012, Tisa did not give in to the disease that she refused to let define her. Instead, she turned to her Savior Jesus Christ and invoked her mantra of: “I have faith in Him. I have hope through Him. I have fight in me.”  Tisa did just that, she fought. She fought for herself, her family, and her friends. Often, she could be found in the corner of those facing similar fights, cheering them on through their adversities and praying for them. Although she knew she would most likely never be able to ring the cancer-free bell, she looked forward to those days when others rang the bell. 

One of her favorite hymns was I Will Follow God’s Plan in which the lyrics read:

“My life is a gift; my life has a plan.

My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began.

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth,

And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth...

I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in his way.”

Throughout her many earthly trials, Tisa lived these words, always focusing on the needs of others, providing kindness, love, and support to those who were drawn to her infectious spirit.

Tisa is survived by her husband, Perryn; her children Tyson (Blake) Collier, Peyton Collier, and Risa Collier; her parents Glenn LeRoy and Shirley Ann Peterson; and her siblings Melany (Danny) Robbins and Jothan (Regan) Peterson. 

She will be laid to rest on July 21, 2023 at Phoenix Memorial Park, Phoenix, Arizona.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on July 21, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5104 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale, Arizona 85310.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the National Breast Cancer Foundation https://fundraise.nbcf.org/fundraiser/4795331