Geraldine (Gerry) Collins was born in Rutland, VT on September 27, 1928. After a valiant fight with Frontotemporal Dementia, she died on June 7, 2024 with her son, Chris, and daughter, Sheila at her side.
Gerry's father, Edward Forrest, was a dairy farmer in Manchester and East Dorset, VT. Her mother, Mildred, was head housekeeper for a wealthy woman who owned a large summer home in Manchester. Gerry was an avid skier and an excellent horsewoman, who owned and rode horses most of her life.
Gerry went to Grove City College in Pennsylvania where she met the love of her life, Floyd Collins, and they married on February 26, 1949. It was a "church school" and in 1949 she was required to withdraw from college as they didn't allow married female students (yes, to married male students). Floyd got his mechanical engineering degree that year and began his career with Sylvania TV in Seneca Falls, NY, where they lived for most of their almost 73 year marriage.
Gerry returned to college at Auburn Community College in her 50's and attained her Associates degree, of which she was very proud. She was on the Seneca Falls Reveille as News Editor and Feature Writer for many years, helping create special editions on the local wine industry, horse shows and the 125th anniversary of the paper. After Floyd's retirement, they began an antiques business and did weekend shows in NY and CT as well as running a booth at a local antique mall.
In addition, she was involved in many local endeavors - serving on the Seneca Falls Historical Board for years and doing research on some of the first women who were recognized in the National Women's Hall of Fame located in town. She was also a member of two women's study clubs for over 45 years, the Women's Reading Club and Fortnightly. Many dear friends were made and interesting topics researched in her years as a member.
Gerry enjoyed reading, researching topics of interest, gardening, hiking, antique auctions, and winter retreats with Floyd to Florida as well as several cross-country trips, all in their RV.
Gerry is survived by her 3 children, Chris, Sheila, and Tim (Rebecca) as well as grandchildren Ilene, Ford (Melissa), Meagan and Jonathon (Angela) and great-grands Annika, Rowan, Ethan, and Aiden. In addition, she is survived by her dearest life-long friend, Dolores Glenn.
The family would like to thank all the care-givers who provided such great care and support to Gerry around the clock for the last years of her life. In addition, thank you to Dr. Earl Shives and to the Rochester Regional Hospice. With their help, Gerry was able to stay in her home until the end.
A private family funeral was held on Friday, June 14 at Doran Funeral Home with burial at Springbrook Cemetery in Seneca Falls.
Anyone interested in honoring Gerry is welcome to donate to a charity of their choice, or to the Seneca Falls Library or the Beverly Animal Shelter in Waterloo, NY. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Geraldine "Gerry" M. (Forrest) Collins, please visit our flower store.
Gerry's father, Edward Forrest, was a dairy farmer in Manchester and East Dorset, VT. Her mother, Mildred, was head housekeeper for a wealthy woman who owned a large summer home in Manchester. Gerry was an avid skier and an excellent horsewoman, who owned and rode horses most of her life.
Gerry went to Grove City College in Pennsylvania where she met the love of her life, Floyd Collins, and they married on February 26, 1949. It was a "church school" and in 1949 she was required to withdraw from college as they didn't allow married female students (yes, to married male students). Floyd got his mechanical engineering degree that year and began his career with Sylvania TV in Seneca Falls, NY, where they lived for most of their almost 73 year marriage.
Gerry returned to college at Auburn Community College in her 50's and attained her Associates degree, of which she was very proud. She was on the Seneca Falls Reveille as News Editor and Feature Writer for many years, helping create special editions on the local wine industry, horse shows and the 125th anniversary of the paper. After Floyd's retirement, they began an antiques business and did weekend shows in NY and CT as well as running a booth at a local antique mall.
In addition, she was involved in many local endeavors - serving on the Seneca Falls Historical Board for years and doing research on some of the first women who were recognized in the National Women's Hall of Fame located in town. She was also a member of two women's study clubs for over 45 years, the Women's Reading Club and Fortnightly. Many dear friends were made and interesting topics researched in her years as a member.
Gerry enjoyed reading, researching topics of interest, gardening, hiking, antique auctions, and winter retreats with Floyd to Florida as well as several cross-country trips, all in their RV.
Gerry is survived by her 3 children, Chris, Sheila, and Tim (Rebecca) as well as grandchildren Ilene, Ford (Melissa), Meagan and Jonathon (Angela) and great-grands Annika, Rowan, Ethan, and Aiden. In addition, she is survived by her dearest life-long friend, Dolores Glenn.
The family would like to thank all the care-givers who provided such great care and support to Gerry around the clock for the last years of her life. In addition, thank you to Dr. Earl Shives and to the Rochester Regional Hospice. With their help, Gerry was able to stay in her home until the end.
A private family funeral was held on Friday, June 14 at Doran Funeral Home with burial at Springbrook Cemetery in Seneca Falls.
Anyone interested in honoring Gerry is welcome to donate to a charity of their choice, or to the Seneca Falls Library or the Beverly Animal Shelter in Waterloo, NY. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Geraldine "Gerry" M. (Forrest) Collins, please visit our flower store.
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Geraldine "Gerry" M. (Forrest) Collins
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