Born in Verviers in 1926, Collet fled to London at the onset of World War II, where she earned a bachelor's degree from King's College London and subsequently pursued a master's degree and doctorate from the Université Laval in Quebec City.[2]
From 1950 to 1952, Collet taught at the Lycée de Londres before working as a professor at the Kansas State Teachers College, Saint Peter's College, and the University of St. Michael's College.[3] She primarily taught literature and theatre.[4] She received the Prix Raymond-Casgrain for her 1966 essay L’Hiver dans le roman canadien-français, receiving praise from Jean Éthier-Blais [fr] and criticism from Adrien Thério [fr], Laurent Mailhot, and Jean-Charles Falardeau.[5] She dedicated numerous works to Jean Racine and Molière.[6][7] In 2024, she was honored with the Prix Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux.[8]
Collet died on 13 February 2026, at the age of 99.[9]
