SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mary “Pat” Collins, 76, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Monday afternoon, Feb. 11, 2013, in Cox Hospital South, following a hard-fought illness.
She was born on Feb. 22, 1936, to Ambrose and Anna (Blaes) Johnston in South Mound. She graduated from Parsons High School and Parsons Junior College.
Pat married Bob Collins on June 12, 1954. He preceded her in death on Aug. 30, 2007. At that time and in her future years, Pat worked for Ankortite in Parsons, the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center and Dayco, Springfield, Mo. She worked the majority of her career and retired in 1991 from Frisco/Burlington Northern, Springfield, Mo.
She was devoted to her family and spent many happy hours with their four children born to this marriage. The last years following retirement, Pat enjoyed volunteering for Mercy Hospital, square dancing, golfing and traveling. She was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Springfield.
Survivors include a son, Keith Collins of Springfield; a daughter, Debbie Marsh and her spouse, Chris Marsh, of Lebanon, Mo.; two grandchildren, Stephen R. Collins of Harrisonville, Mo., and Tanya Collins of Sioux City, Iowa; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Johnny Johnston of Nashville, Ill.; a sister, Sue O’Brien of Parsons; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives including a daughter-in-law, Debbie Detten and her spouse, Bob, of Springfield, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Collins, and her two sons, Stephen and Sheldon, as well as her parents.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Springfield, with Msgr. Thomas Reidy as celebrant. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, with a rosary service at 7 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1510 W. Elfindale Street, Springfield, MO 65807.
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