Lois M. Collins, of Stoneham formerly of Woburn passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones on November 18th. She was 82. Lois was the beloved wife of the late Eugene F. "Gene" Collins. Born in Cambridge she was the cherished daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Bell) Matthews.
Lois was raised and educated in Stoneham and was a 1949 graduate of Stoneham High School. For a short period following high school Lois worked for the North American Insurance Company in Boston. After her marriage to her beloved Gene in 1950, the young couple settled in Woburn where they would start their family bringing six beautiful children into the world. Lois was mostly devoted to caring for children and family and enjoyed spending time with them traveling on summer vacations to New Hampshire and sharing time together with friends on Lake Winnipesauke. She also looked forward to the family's yearly pilgrimage to Saratoga to enjoy all the festivities there. This family tradition was started by her late husband. She also cherished getting together with her friends for coffee every Saturday morning. Lois also enjoyed dining out and shopping with her friends and family, however her greatest joy was simply being with the people she loved and she especially cherished her time with her grandchildren whom she was most proud of.
Lois is survived by her devoted children, Stephen E. Collins of Stoneham, Cheryl A. Rosato and her husband James of Wakefield, Nancy L. Minghella and her husband Victor, Jo-Anne Collins, Susan M. Collins, Lauren C. McLaughlin and her husband Barry all of Woburn. She was the loving grandmother of Kevin Minghella, Cpt. David Minghella U.S. Army, Lisa Minghella, Michael Rosato and Brian McLaughlin. Sister of the late Alvan Matthews.
Funeral from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Saturday, November 24th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service celebrated in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 127 Summer St., Lynnfield, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday from 4 thru 7 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VNA of Middlesex East & Visiting Nurses Hospice, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.