Mary Bridget (Donnelly) Collins

Mary Bridget Collins (nee Donnelly), age 93, died in Needham, Massachusetts on April 14th, 2021 from natural causes, surrounded by her four children.  Mary was born in 1928 and raised in Athleague, Roscommon, Ireland. She attended nursing school in London, becoming a nurse-midwife, and moving about the city on a bicycle, independently assisting in home births in the Lambeth Hospital section of London. She later moved to the United states and married Robert J. Collins, also known as Bob. They worked in Springfield. MA and raised their family in Longmeadow, MA where Mary lived until shortly before her death.  Bob was an area business leader in Western MA and New England for over 25 years before his death in 1992, where he operated 23 independent stores and sat on various boards of directors. Mary was a big part of that success.

Mary was a faithful member of Saint Mary’s Parish for over 50 years, an active member of the Parish Guild and a devoted member of the Marian Society.  She held many volunteer positions during her life, including working with Brightside and the Sisters of Providence.  She also taught English as a Second Language to immigrants in the Springfield area.

Mary is survived by her four children, Chatherine O’Flaherty (Anthony) of South Boston, MA, Margaret O’Sullivan (Morgan) of Connemara, Co. Galway Ireland, Brigid Collins Stewart (James) of Sag Harbor, NY and Andrew Collins (Kristen, nee Gariepy) of Needham, MA, her much loved half-sister, Maureen Malone of Quechee, Vermont, sister-in-law Kathleen Reilly of Wilton, CT, ten living grandchildren and one great grandchild.  She is predeceased by her granddaughter, Kathryn Collins Stewart, and beloved husband Bob.

If desired, donations in Mary’s name may be made in her granddaughter Katy’s memory to: 

Katy’s Courage, www.katyscourage.org, P.O. Box 3251, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. 

A public memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 12th, 1:00 in the afternoon at St. Mary’s Church in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, wia reception to follow.

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