Trinidadian-born community, political activist Julia Lystra Collis passes

Trinidadian-born community and political activist Julia Lystra Collis, aunt of retired New York Supreme Court Justice Sylvia G. Ash, died, on May 19, at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. She was 79.

Trinidadian-born Justice Ash, whose parents hailed from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told Caribbean Life on Sunday that Collis, a long-time Brooklyn resident, succumbed to Stage 4 Breast Cancer.

Several current and former Caribbean elected officials and community workers were among mourners viewing Collis’s body on Sunday at Caribe Funeral Home on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.

The funeral service took place on Monday at Holy Innocents Church on East 17th Street in Brooklyn, after which Collis’s body was interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery, also in Brooklyn.

“Aunt Julia was a pioneer and a role model for women and young girls, especially those who hailed from the Caribbean,” Justice Ash told Caribbean Life. “She loved life, and was passionate about all that she did and said.

“Her life was well-lived, with God as her cornerstone and foundation,” she added. “I will always remember her and treasure the times that we shared together.

“I used to smile whenever I told her ‘I love you’, and she responded, ‘I love you more’”, Justice Ash continued. “Rest in eternal peace, Aunt Julia, and know that I love you more.”

Julia Lystra Collis (left) with Justice Sylvia G. Ash. Photo courtesy Hon. Sylvia G. Ash

New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, the Haitian-born representative for the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, also told Caribbean Life that it was “with heavy hearts” that she joined “so many in our community to say farewell to a beloved member of our Brooklyn’s Caribbean-American family.

“Lystra was a long-time friend, who was unwavering in her commitment to preserving and promoting Caribbean culture,” Narcisse said. “Her efforts have left an enduring impact on us all.”

Narcisse said Collis’s work with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke – who, with her mother, Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman to be elected to New York City Council, was among mourners on Sunday – served as “a vital contribution to our community, demonstrating her dedication to giving back.

“Let us honor her memory by continuing the important work she started and never hesitating to do for others, as Lystra spent her life doing,” Narcisse said. “My thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Lystra. Your legacy will forever inspire us.”

Lystra Collis’s family members with Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, third from right. Photo by Nelson A. KIng

Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club President Jean Joseph said: “Words cannot express how much I miss Lystra Collis.

“She was a great person who cared about everyone and tried to help in any way she could,” said the Dominican-born certified public accountant (CPA). “She will be missed.”

According to the obituary, “Julia Collis, Julia Lystra Collis, Ms. Collis, Julia Ash, Julia Ash Collis, Aunt Julia, Aunt Lystra, auntie, mommy and grammy” were “a few of the names that were lovingly used to refer to one of the most dynamic, phenomenal and outstanding women who we are gathered here this afternoon to celebrate, exalt, honor and pay tribute for a life well lived.

“Tonight, we are going to refer to her affectionately as our ‘Aunt Julia,” it states.

Collis was born on July 28, 1944 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, to the late Hilton Ash and Rita Rodriguez.

The obituary says Collis was a former public school teacher in Trinidad and Tobago, who  graduated from Molloy College with a degree in theology, and was also certified as an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor.

As a proud national of Trinidad and Tobago, the obituary says Collis “embraced the rich heritage and culture of her Caribbean roots.

“She had a special love for steelpan music, and, together with Hawks International (former perennial band leaders in the Brooklyn-based West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade), she was a staunch advocate for having the steelpan placed on the Trinidad and Tobago flag,” it says.

The biography says Collis migrated to the United States in the mid-1960s, “where she embarked on a herculean and relentless journey to elevate and promote the Caribbean-American community at large.

“She knew the importance of being politically-involved and the power of a single vote,” it says. “As such, her palatial home in the historic district of Ditmas Park (in Brooklyn) was the venue of many fundraisers, gatherings and meetings, where she hosted numerous local and foreign notable political and elected officials and dignitaries.”

These included former prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago; former Gov. of New York Mario Cu`omo; former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins; former Brooklyn District Attorney Joe Hynes; former Assemblyman Nick Perry, now US Ambassador to Jamaica; former City Council Members, Drs. Clarke and Mathieu Eugene; Congresswoman Clarke; New York Attorney General Letitia James; New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; State Sen. Kevin Parker and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker.

“Aunt Julia’s involvement in state and city politics was extensive and instrumental,” says the obituary, adding that Collis served as a liaison for the 40th Council District, formerly represented by Congresswoman Clarke, and was also a Congressional Liaison for the 9th Congressional District, currently led by Clarke.

The obituary said Collis was a “designated New York State Ombudsman” with the city’s Department of Aging, and “was known as a resolute and fervent proponent and protector of the rights and well-being of seniors.”

Beyond politics, the biography says Collis was “a successful entrepreneur.”

“Having broken down the glass ceiling, she was the owner of Aristocrat Manor, a once prominent and popular nightlife establishment in Brooklyn,” the obituary says.

It adds that Collis also owned several businesses and real estate properties.

“Aunt Julia was a tireless activist, advocate and mentor, making service to others a personal priority,” the biography says.

Nieces Hon. Sylvia G. Ash, left, and Dr. Cynthia Sterling-Fox. Photo by Nelson A. King

It says that Collis was actively involved in several political and civic organizations, and that she served as past president of the Renaissance Lions Club; board member of the Caribbean American Community Comprehensive Center; governing member of the National Women’s Political Caucus; life member of the Folk Arts Institute; and member of the League of Women Voters, Progressive Democratic Political Association, Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Association of Women, ACCORN and the Working Family Party.

In recognition of her stellar service, volunteerism and philanthropic contributions to the community-at-large, the obituary says Collis was “very proud and honored” to be the recipient of numerous awards, proclamations and citation.

These included the Trinidad and Tobago National Heritage Award; Sesame Flyers International, Inc., Award of Excellence; New York City Pacesetter Award; Women’s History Makers Award; Women of Distinction Award; Women Celebrating Women Award; Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce & Industry Business and Community Advocate Award; Mid-Brooklyn Activist Humanitarian Award; and several Congressional, Senatorial, Assembly, Mayoral and City Council proclamations and citations.

As a devout Catholic and lector in the Catholic Church, Collis, up until her hospitalization, attended daily mass at her Parish Church, Holy Innocents, “where she was a spiritual force, working tirelessly to unite the church’s diverse members,” the biography says.

“Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life, instilling in her a deep sense of compassion and the bona fide belief that God is Good all the time, and that, with God, all things are possible,” it adds.

“There are several individuals in this room who would testify unabashedly that they were the beneficiaries of Aunt Julia’s fervent prayers,” the obituary continues. “To many, she was known as a true prayer warrior.

“Aunt Julia will be remembered as a woman of God, a stalwart in the Caribbean community, a tireless advocate for equality and justice, and a compassionate individual, who left an indelible impression on all whose lives she touched,” it says.

Vanda Karlyn-Dale Collis-Collins (fifth from left), the only child of Lystra Collis with immediate family members during the viewing at Caribe Funeral Home. Photo by Nelson A. King

Collis is survived by her daughter, Vanda Karlyn-Dale Collis-Collins; her granddaughters, Rayven-Nikkita Demi Collins, Raynielle-Njeri Dara Collins, Rayheann-NaDejda Dena Collins, and Renni-Natalya DiArriana Collins; her great-grandson, Jaxson-Kai Collins McComas; several nieces, including Rhonda Bristol Samuel and Hon. Sylvia G. Ash; nephews Dennis Russel Bristol and Roger Bristol; several grand-nieces and grand-nephews; adopted nieces, Andrea Dawes and Marie Joseph; adopted nephew, Herbert Terry, and numerous other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.

“Her presence will be profoundly missed, and the essence of her spirit will continue to inspire generations to come,” the obituary says. “She fought the good fight, she finished the race and, without a doubt, she kept the faith.”