Obituary of Joan C. Collins

Joan Frances Collins, nee Callahan, was born in Somerville, MA on December 31, 1929. The fourth of seven siblings, she grew up in a tight-knit family and maintained strong familial ties throughout her life. Joan married Cornelius (Neal) Joseph Collins in Boston, MA on February 14, 1953. The couple moved with their six children to Charlotte, NC in August of 1970. Neal and Joan developed lifelong friendships with those they met in the South. Their children appreciate the kindness and support of their parents friends in their later years. AN active member of St. Gabriels Catholic Church, Joan faithfully supported both church and community with 25 years of service to hospice and as a Eucharistic Minister and meals-on-wheels driver. To Joan, to serve others was a gift to her. In her later years, she was a proud member of the OWLS (Older Wiser Livelier Seniors) and the red hat ladies. She was deeply blessed by her relationships within the church and with those whom she served. Joan was a member of the greatest generation in every sense � tough facing adversity, soft toward loved ones; never wasting a resource, never sparing a kindness. She loved laughing, dancing and spending time with children. Joan moved to Boone, NC in March of 2013. Her family cared for her lovingly at home until she passed away on May 17, 2017. Joan is survived by her six children � Christine Lay (Bob Lay), Michael Collins, Maureen Donnan, Matthew Collins (Dorenthia Clark Leeds), Kathleen Collins, and Charlene Collins (Lawrence Riggins) � four grandchildren-Rebekah Veitia (Jorge Veitia), Meaghan Collins (Cary Hitchcock), Patrick Donnan (Alyssa Donnan), and Jonathan Donnan � two great grandchildren � Isaac Veitia and Benaiah Veitia � and three siblings � Mary Collins, Eleanor Murphy, and Edward Callahan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Joseph Collins, her son-in-law, Hugh Donnan, her father and mother, Augustus and Gertrude Welsh Callahan, and three siblings, Anna Louise Callahan, Bernard Callahan, and Robert Callahan. The family held a Funeral Mass in Joans honor at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Boone on May 20, 2017. A Memorial Mass for Joan will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 Phone: 704-364-5431. The Mass will be held in the Daily Chapel and will be performed by Father Frank ORourke. All are welcome to attend. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to: Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 Phone: (828) 265-3926 Checks to: Medi Home Hospice. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory, of Boone, NC, served the family.