SPRINGFIELD – Eileen M. (Baker) Collins, 73, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Saturday, November 3, 2012. She passed into Eternal Life from her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. As her family gathered around her bedside to celebrate her entrance into New Life, they also celebrated the first birthday of her cherished grandson, Thomas Collins III. She was born in Bronx, New York, on April 16, 1939, a beloved daughter of the late Thomas M. and Anna T. (O’Donnell) Baker. In 1942, her parents moved to Springfield where she was raised and lived for the remainder of her life. She graduated from the former Sacred Heart Elementary and Sacred Heart High School in Springfield. She previously worked in the claims department at the former Travelers Insurance Company in Springfield. She had last been employed for 30 years as a medical transcriber at Mercy Medical Center before retiring in 2006. Eileen was proud of her Irish heritage, had a passion for Irish music, step dancing and the wearing of the green. She was a quiet woman who adored her family and showered them with her love and affection, which was returned to her a thousand fold. Active in her catholic faith, she was a longtime communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her beloved brother, Thomas M. Baker who was Called Home in 1944. She leaves her devoted husband and best friend, Thomas M. Collins Sr. They were married on October 7, 1972, in Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and were blessed to have just celebrated 40 years of happiness together. She also leaves her loving sons Thomas M. Collins Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Longmeadow, and Sean P. Collins of Springfield; her cherished grandson whom she adored Thomas M. Collins III; her loving brother Michael J. Baker and his wife Patricia of Ludlow; her dear sisters-in-law of the Collins family: Kathleen McGill and her husband John of Holyoke; and Maureen Murnane and her husband Patrick of London, England; her dear brothers-in-law of the Collins family: Sean Collins and his wife Joan; and Seamus Collins and his wife Phyllis all of Ireland; and many dear nephews and nieces in the United States, Ireland and England. In addition, she leaves many dear friends including Cis Dowd of East Longmeadow. Her family would like to thank her special angels Sharon and Karen from Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice for their comforting care and compassion during her long illness. Her funeral will be held on Thursday morning, November 8, 2012, 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 Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Because of the special care she received, her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to Baystate Visting Nurse and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199.