Patricia A. Collins

Hampton – Patricia A. Collins, 83, of Hampton, formerly of Bradford, MA and Haverhill, MA, died Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital with loving family by her bedside. Patricia was born March 24, 1930 in Haverhill, a daughter of the late Louis and Dorothy (Berry) Hamel. She was raised in Bradford and graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame High School in Tyngsboro, MA with the Class of 1948. Patricia attended Georgian Court University in New Jersey and the Garland School of Boston but left school to marry the love of her life and husband of over 62 years, Philip H. Collins, Sr. The couple settled in Haverhill for the next 25 years before moving to the New Hampshire Seacoast in 1975. While in Haverhill, she served on the Executive Committee of Ladies at Merrimack College. Patricia was a very courageous woman and always a lady as she battled her many illnesses without complaint. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She loved her family and spending time with them meant the world to her. Known as the “Cookie Lady,” all the neighborhood children loved Patricia and would regularly visit her for a special treat. In addition to her husband Philip of Hampton, she is survived by her sons, Philip Collins, Jr., and his wife Joan of North Hampton, David Collins of Greenville, SC and Daniel Collins and his wife Harper of Lawrenceville, NJ; her daughters, Judith Collins of Newbury and Mary St. Gelais of Hampton; her brothers, Louis Hamel, Jr. of Winchester, MA and Gerald Hamel and his wife Jan of Chocorua; her sisters, Virginia Heffernan of Bradford, MA, Claire Hochschwender of Rye Beach and Marilyn McCarthy of Rye; her 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Patricia Collins and her sister Gloria Spellman. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at St. Theresa’s Church, 815 Central Rd., Rye Beach. Burial will follow in the High Street Cemetery, Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to: The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or made online at: www.jimmyfund.org/gif/.

Patricia A. Collins

March 24, 1930 - September 3, 2013