Vera Collins

April 17, 1937 - December 5, 2021

“Vera” Collins, 84, a lifelong resident of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Elizabethtown, with her family by her side. She was born to the late Kurt and Bertha Blessman, April 17,1937, in White Plains, New York. Vera graduated from Elizabethtown Lewis Central School in 1954 and received her Masters in Nursing from Keuka College in 1958. She enjoyed many years at home raising her daughters and worked for Essex County Social Services as a Social Worker until she retired. She married Edwin Collins on June 30, 1962 and they lived together in Elizabethtown for thirty-one years. Vera is survived by four children: Kenneth (Rita) Collins of Melbourne, Florida; Joseph Collins of Melbourne, Florida; Karen (William) Dow of Meredith, New Hampshire and Jeanne Brown of Elizabethtown. She was blessed with ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Sheisalsosurvivedby“hergirls:”TerriWelch,JaneJordan,andMeredith King She spent her entire life opening her heart to the Lord and her home all. Her love for her house filled with family, friends, and community members was unmatched and the door was open to all. It gave her great joy to find any number of kids sleeping on her living room floor when she awoke in the morning. Vera was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd since she was a little girl and served on the vestry, as an organist and treasurer. Her fondest memories include members of the church who she considered family. Whether she was teaching Sunday School, holding Girl Scout Meetings in the Parish Hall, or bringing her favorite dish to the PotLuck Dinner, Vera’s home away from home was her Church and its members. Her interests include spending time with her family and friends around her pool, watching the New England Patriots play each week, singing in the Pleasant Valley Chorale, and meeting her friends at Stewart’s for coffee. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed all kinds of books. She loved her dog, Gracie and new addition to the family, her cat, Odie. To know Vera was to love her. She was always up for a road trip with anyone looking for adventure. Her love of music was passed to her children and grandchildren and can be seen in the piano skills she taught to many of her family members. She adored the local theater productions and took in every performance she could accompanied by her dear friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all her wonderful caregivers, especially the loving and caring staff of the University of Vermont Medical Center in Elizabethtown and the staff of High Peaks Hospice. There will be no calling hours; however, services at the Church of the Good Shepherd are tentatively scheduled for January 15, 2022 with a reception to follow at the parish hall. The family asks that people make donations to the North Country SPCA, PO Box 55, 7700 US Route 9N, Elizabethtown in lieu of sending flowers.