Dorothy Elizabeth (Cheney) Collins passed into eternal life on December 23, 2022. “Dolly,” as she was known, was born on September 14, 1925 at Boston City Hospital. She was the first post-mortem birth in the hospital’s history -- her mother (Mary Smith Cheney) having died in labor. Her strength and courage, apparent even at this tender age, would carry her throughout her life.
Dorothy grew up in Charlestown, Massachusetts and in 1948, she met her future husband, James Patrick Collins, Jr., in the choir at St. Mary’s Church; they were married in 1949. Over the years, she gave birth to nine children: James, Kevin, Mary (O’Connell), Maureen, Margaret, Eileen (Paris), Stephen, Anne Marie and Dennis.
Dorothy was devoted to her family and her faith, both of which sustained her through the good times and through life’s struggles. When her husband passed unexpectedly at the age of fifty-four, she remained the rock and center of her large family. Through the loss of her grandson John, son-in-law Matt and daughter Anne Marie, her faith never wavered but grew in her firm belief that she would be with them again.
No one who came into contact with her could help but be impressed by the simplicity of her faith and the aura of goodness that she displayed. As the matriarch of an ever-growing extended family: daughters- and sons- in-law Mary McCarthy Collins (James), Kathleen O’Brien Collins (Kevin), the late Matthew O’Connell (Mary), Richard Paris (Eileen), Deanna DeFosse (Stephen), Patricia Nelson (Dennis) and Michael Ahern (partner of Maureen) -- as well as 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, she gave of herself unselfishly to each and every one of them. She was their queen and their source of strength.
We do not mourn her passing, we celebrate that her life was long, full, and loving.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dorothy's Funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 12 Noon in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown. Her burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale. THERE ARE NO FUNERAL HOME VISITING HOURS.,
CHURCH WILL NOT ACCEPT FLOWERS. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Dorothy's name to Pro Life Legal Defense Fund Inc., 529 Main St., Suite 205, Mailbox 19, Charlestown, Mass. 02129