Obituary of Eleanor Marie Collins

Eleanor “Elly” Marie Collins (nee Quinn), 91, died October 3, 2020 at Loretto Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Elly was born in October 1928 to the late Thomas W. and Amy B. (Swetland) Quinn. A lifetime resident of Syracuse, she grew up on Schuyler Street on Tipperary Hill. She graduated from Central High School in Syracuse. She attended the Syracuse General School of Nursing and was proud to have been the valedictorian of the Manpower Program, a New York State Nursing Program.

She married Patrick H. Collins in 1949 and together they had five sons.

Elly worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Crouse Hospital, including in the Cardiac Care Unit, for 21 years before retiring.

Elly was a community activist. Whether on an individual basis or as part of an organization, she always enjoyed helping others. She was proud of her work as the Secretary of the Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse (JASS), on the Board of Directors for the Chadwick Residence, as a member of the Loretto Guild, and as a neighborhood worker for the Office of Economic Opportunity- now the Huntington Family Centers.

She loved her jazz music and enjoyed socializing and travelling. She was an avid golfer and photographer, and enjoyed gardening and painting. She was the family’s historian and genealogist. She was also an accomplished seamstress.

Elly was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes- now Our Lady of Hope- for many years, and proudly sewed many banners for the church.

Elly was predeceased by: her sister, Jeanne A. Milazzo; her son Martin P. Collins; and her grandson, Sean M. Collins. She is survived by: her sons, Michael T., Daniel J. (Teresa), Patrick J. (Barb), and Laurence E. (Sarah) Collins; and her daughter-in-law, Nancy Collins. She lovingly leaves behind her six granddaughters: Casey (Gino) Duca, Amy (Josh) Tome, Kerry (Jason) Irving, Alicia Collins, Jessica (Josh Shoff) Collins, and Eleanor Jo Collins; as well as 11 great-grandchildren, extended family members, Marty, Sue, Kristen, and Katie Collins, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, other relatives, and friends.

She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, and friend; and will be missed by many whose lives she touched.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 8 from 4 pm to 7 pm, at Ballweg and Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina St., Syracuse. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 9 at 11 am at Our Lady of Hope Church, 4845 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt. Online condolences for Elly’s family may be left on the funeral home website.