HOLYOKE ~ Patricia M. (Lyons) Collins, 85, a resident of Providence Place in Holyoke and a longtime former resident of Utica Street in the Hungry Hill Section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. She passed into Eternal Life at Providence Place in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving daughters. She was born in Springfield on August 26, 1933, a beloved daughter of the late George and Catherine (Day) Lyons. She was raised in Springfield, graduated in 1951 from Cathedral High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was last employed as an Administrative Assistant in the Development Office for the Diocese of Springfield and previously worked at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield where she was a member of the Over 60 Club and also enjoyed participating with the yoga group at the church. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed her many trips - especially the trips to Misquamicut, RI, with her family and friends. Most of all, she enjoyed being a homemaker to her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Thomas F. Collins, Jr. who was Called Home on July 13, 2013. They were married on September 17, 1967 at All Souls Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 45 years of happiness together. She leaves her three devoted daughters, Christine M. Collins and her wife, Dana Berliner, of Washington, DC, Kathryn M. “Kate” Collins-Carney and her husband, Michael Carney, of Springfield and Elizabeth A. “Beth” Collins and her wife, Kathy J. Sunderland, of Malden; her four cherished grandchildren, Lila Berliner and Micheal, Tomas and Cathal Carney; her dear brother, Jack Lyons and his wife, Beverly, formerly of Springfield; her dear niece, Kathleen Anderson and her husband, William, of Tupelo, MS; her many dear cousins from the United States and England; her cherished friends and extended members of the Collins and Lyons families. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her dear sister-in-law, Mary Wielgus and her husband, Leon. Patricia’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the CNA’s from O’Connell Care at Home for the compassionate care they gave to her. Her funeral will be held on Friday morning, September 7, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her Burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, September 6, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who prefer, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or the Sisters of Saint Joseph Retirement Fund, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
