May B. Collins, 95

SOUTH LEE, Mass. — May B. Collins, 95, died Saturday evening, December 23, 2017, at her daughters home in South Lee surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 18, 1922, in Manchester, England, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth Wrigley Beswick. She was educated in schools in England and served in the British Army Auxiliary Territorial Services, where she worked on the maintenance of tanks. There she met the love of her life, Robert M. Collins, of the 82nd Airborne Division. They were married in Leicester, England, in 1944. 

She came to the United States in March of 1946, on the U.S.S Washington, one of the "Bride Boats,” and settled in South Lee where she raised her family. In the early 60s she was the program director for the South Lee playground. She graduated from Berkshire Community College with a LPN degree in 1971 and did private duty care for over 30 years. 

She was an avid bowler for many years, loved dressing up for Halloween, she enjoyed going to the casino and travelling, especially on cruises, but her true passion was caring for others.

May is survived by four sons, Peter W. Collins and his wife, Lauren, of Peacham, Vt., Barry A. Collins of Lee, Terrance P. Collins and his wife, Theresa, of South Lee and Kevin T. Collins of Lee; four daughters, Roberta M. Collins of Pompano Beach, Fla., Casey Glenar and her husband, Jeffrey, of South Lee, Alice V. Collins and her husband, Peter Putnam, of South Lee and Sandra M. Andenmatten and her husband, Bob, of Housatonic; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister in law, Connie Collins of Rochester, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews both here and abroad.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, and all of her siblings who remained in the U.K

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lee. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, December 27, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. Friends wishing may make donations in her memory to the WMLA Council in Pittsfield or the Salvation Army in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.