Jumpin Off the Bridge: Mom's Obituary

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Mom's Obituary

Mom in her 1962 High School Graduation Picture

Several years ago my Mom asked me to write my father's obituary in 2009...a week ago I wrote her obituary. I just had to "spring into action" b/c we had so much to plan and do with her fairly sudden death. Just like Dad, it is a miserable experience to try to capture a person's life in one page. She joined Dad in heaven on their 51st Wedding Anniversary.

Mom's Obituary:

Sheila McNamara Collins (71) of Atlanta, Georgia died on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

She grew up in Memphis, TN where she met the love of her life, Ed Collins and married him on February 13, 1965 in Atlanta at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. After living in several southern states, Ed and Sheila settled in Atlanta in 1974 where they raised their four children.

Sheila’s career of thirty years at St. Pius X Catholic High School was a great source of pride and happiness to her. She was also an active volunteer throughout her life, most recently with Holy Cross Parish’s St. Martin Food Pantry. She was an avid reader, traveler, and loved supporting her family with all their activities. She had a strong group of friends who all made it a priority to laugh and love one another.

She is survived by her children Kathleen, Sheila Ann (husband Chris), Ed (wife Lena), and Maureen; grandchildren Trey, Jack, Quinn, Mac, and Jennie Marie; sister Rita (husband Tom); sister-and brother-in-law Joan and Bob; brother-in-law Ron; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by siblings Bryan, Teresa, and George; parents George and Delores; and her beloved husband, Ed.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at A. S. Turner & Sons from 6 to 8 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 17 at 11 a.m. celebrated by Monsignor Richard Lopez.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial offerings to be made to the Edwin John Collins Sr. Scholarship Fund at St. Pius X Catholic High School, 2674 Johnson Road, Atlanta, GA 30345.