Phyllis L. Collins

SPRINGFIELD – Phyllis  Walrath Collins, age 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, October 16, 2019 in her home  in the arms of her loving daughter Pat.

She was born on December 11, 1924 in Schenectady a daughter of the late Dwight and Florence Matthews Walrath.  Raised in Schenectady and Jordanville she graduated high School from Van Hornesville Central School with the class of 1942.

On October 30, 1944 she married Chester Collins in Blessed Sacrament Church, Springfield.  They shared a loving and devoted union of 56 years until his passing on December 30, 2007.   For many years she was employed as a Nurse's Aide with Bassett Hospital. She retired in 1971.

Phyllis was well known in the community, having served as a past 4-H Leader and Girl Scoutl Leader as well as supporting all  baseball games her husband umpired.   She had many talents enjoying quilting, crafting, painting, sewing, baking breads and more recently making bracelets for her family and friends.   She will be remembered as a sweet gentle lady who always had a smile.  She was the backbone for her family always proud to support her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their school and sport activities.   She will remain in their hearts and will always be cherished.

Surviving are two sons and their wives, Richard and Johanna Collins of Springfield, William and Linda Collins of Richfield Springs, three daughters and their husbands, Barbara and Patrick Wilkerson of Kittyhawk, NC Patricia and Allan Pullis of Springfield, Karen and Nelson Weidenbaugh of Chugiak, Alaska, one sister, Sandra Coffin and her husband Edward of Poland, sixteen grandchildren, 31-great-grandchildren,  and one great-great-grandson, a daughter-in-law, Karen Collins of Richfield Springs, many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Besides her parents and husband Chet, she was preceded in death by her son, Chester "Skip" Collin on January 3rd  of this year,  two brothers, James and Harold Walrath, two sisters, Emma Jean Allen , Winnie Van Natten   and a daughter-in-law, Mary Alice Collins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11:00 am in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Cherry Valley.  Interment will follow in Springfield Center Cemetery.

The family will be present in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs to receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 6:00 until 8:00pm.

Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the Springfield Emergence Squad, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, or Helios Care Compassion Choices and Dignity (formerly known as Catskill Area Hospice.)   Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.