PLAISTOW, NH: Mary M. (Beisler) Collins, 72, died September 15, 2009 in the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill. She was the wife of Dr. Daniel J. Collins, Jr. with whom she shared 48 years of marriage.
Born in New York City, New York on January 19, 1937 she was the daughter of the late Simon A. and Gertrude (Rudolph) Beisler. She was a graduate of Marymount Academy in New York and attended Elmira College in Elmira, New York. Mary was a resident of Plaistow since 1964 where she raised her family with her husband Daniel.
She was elected as a selectman in the Town of Plaistow and held the position from 1990-1996. Mary was very active in H.E.L.P. an organization for helping learning disabled children. Spending time with her family was of the utmost importance to her. There are many happy memories for them of the times they spent together at the beach. Mary was a devote catholic. She also enjoyed spending time gardening. She will be missed very much by all who knew her.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her five children, Catherine A. and her husband, Barry Craven of Reading, Daniel J. and his wife, Pat A. Collins of Towson, MD, Elizabeth E. Fiesler of Tarpon Springs, FL, Michael C. and his wife, Deborah Collins of Portland, ME and Timothy D. Collins of Plaistow. She was the grandmother of Brian, Molly, and Kevin Craven all of Reading, Grace and Peter Collins of Tarpon Springs, FL., two sisters, Ann Frisby of Canada and Clare King of Eugene, OR. And many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday in the Sacred Hearts Church, S. Main St., Bradford at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held Thursday,in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.