Julia Ann Dillon Collins, age 94 of Medfield, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 20, 2016.
She was born in Norwood November 10, 1922, to the late Patrick Dillon and Mary Walsh Dillon, who emigrated from Ireland. She was predeceased by her older sister, Mary Grue, and her twin sister Margaret Dillon Ginley of Walpole.
Julia graduated Norwood High School in 1939, worked at the Norwood Theatre, played violin with the Norwood High Orchestra, and met her future husband James, who ushered at the rival Guild Theatre. She was a graduate of Mansfield Beauty Academy, worked as a beautician until her marriage, and in later years she loved getting her hair done weekly at Mary Ann’s.
Julia and James Francis Collins married in Norwood in 1942, and later moved to Framingham, where James worked for General Cinema Corporation until his retirement as vice president of east coast operations in 1988, after which they enjoyed traveling to the western U.S., ancestral Ireland, and Italy. They celebrated 60 years of marriage until James’s death in 2002. Julia loved babies, cooking, keeping house, music and movies, her cats, celebrating Mass, and a glass of Chablis. Tuesday was her favorite day which she spent with her girlfriends from Club for more than 50 years. Her greatest pride was her marriage to Big Jimmy, whom she often referred to as her best friend.
She is survived by three children, James Francis Collins Jr (Gretl) of Pennsylvania, Mary-Ellen Collins Ferguson of Medfield, and Paul Collins, also of Medfield. Also surviving are two grandsons, Liam and Danielle (Messier) Ferguson of Sturbridge, and Daniel Collins (Emily) of Pennsylvania. Great-grandchildren are Jordan Messier, Maranda Ferguson, Liam Ferguson, Jr, and Lucas Ferguson, and great-great grandson Levi Messier.
Beloved relatives include nieces Bernadette Carty, and Mary Ellen Ginley Pelletier and nephew James P. Ginley.
Many thanks to the caregivers at Steward for their compassion and professionalism.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, November 29 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m at the Ginley Funeral Home, 892 Main Street, Walpole. Relatives and friends are invited to services at the Ginley Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 30 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St Edwards Church, 133 Spring Street, Medfield at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery, Norwood.