Helen Lucille Collins

1923 - 2018

Helen Lucille Collins obituary, 1923-2018, Elmwood Park, IL

BORN

1923

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home

1800 Eastland Drive

Bloomington, Illinois

Helen Collins Obituary

On New Year's Day in 1923, a baby girl was born at home in Maywood, Illinois to Ray Edward and Naomi Hope Laros Goodrich. She would excel in school, her hands would fly across the keys of a typewriter, and she would pen creative essays with distinctively elegant penmanship. She would even learn to twirl the baton and become a drum majorette at Proviso Township High School in Maywood. What Helen Lucille Goodrich was really born to do, though, was to be a mother-not any mother-the Mother of Eleven Children. She married John Michael Collins, Sr. in 1942, and they began their family life. They had eleven children: Terence R. (Eleana) Collins of Pinehurst, NC, John Michael (Jean) Collins, Jr., Helen K. (Patrick) O'Rourke of Normal, IL, Suzanne A. Arendt of Dowagiac, MI, Richard H. (Ruby) Collins of Shingletown, CA, Robert J. (Janet) Collins of Cypress, TX, David A. (Catherine) Collins of Houston, TX, Yvonne (Gary Shenfield) Collins of Williams Bay, WI, Joanne E. (David) Wickersham of Nekoosa, WI, Patricia E. (Jeffry) Potempa of American Fork, UT and Theodore G. (Susan) Collins of Scottsdale, AZ. They also had 33 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Helen L. Collins, 95, of Gainesville, FL, passed away at 4:06 p.m., Monday, January 8, 2018 in Normal, IL. Survivors include ten children. She was preceded in death by her husband on October 20, 2000; her son, John Jr.; three sisters, Marie Wyatt, Lois Goodrich and Jean Grove; a brother, Edward Goodrich; two grandsons; and a daughter-in-law, Janet. Her memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Celestine Catholic Church in Elmwood Park. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service, when family will greet relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local Habitat for Humanity in Helen's name. After raising her children, Helen learned to play bridge, and became a Bronze Life Master. She was happy to share her expertise with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as neighbor children. Four Kings in the Corner was another favorite card game of hers, which she taught to anyone interested in learning. Health was her number one priority, believing that you are responsible for taking good care of yourself. Double chocolate brownies were part of her health regimen, and you could always find frozen ones in her freezer. She had a zest for living and learning; was true to herself and her principles; and was fiercely independent. She will be cherished in the hearts of all who knew her. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

Published by Chicago Tribune from Jan. 14 to Jan. 18, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for Helen Collins

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My sincere condolences to the family of Helen Collins. Psalms 90:10, shows how she lived a long life of special mightiness from God. Keep her many memories close in your hearts and minds and cherish them forever.

Juanita Colquitt

January 17, 2018

You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. May God comfort you in this time. Isa 61:2

January 17, 2018

My family sends our sincere condolences on your loss. May happy memories of your loved one and the words at Isaiah 57:15 bring you much comfort as it does me.

Green Family

January 17, 2018

Please know that I am thinking of you and the rest of your family at this time. Isaiah 57:15

January 17, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family during this time of grief. 1 Corinthians 15:26.

January 16, 2018

We are so saddened to hear of your loss and offer our deepest condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

David and Althea

January 16, 2018

I only recently met her but found her charming and friendly.

Joann Steinberg

January 15, 2018

Grandma Helen, as she was affectionately known, was always ready for a great conversation but especially loved time with the neighborhood kids. For many years they loved all those bridge lessons and Kings in a Corner games and of course making brownies for her! And no she never shared....those were for her!

We will all miss her and remember her fondly as she was a fixture of summers at Geneva Lake....

Bob Biddle

January 15, 2018

I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain you during this difficult time (Isaiah 61: 1,2) With sincerest sympathy,

Angela

A D

January 15, 2018

Please accept my condolences during this difficult time. I hope that Matthew 5:4 brings you comfort during this difficult time.

January 15, 2018

Please accept my condolences with the loss of your loved one.
Psalm 23:3.
Respectfully,
SC

January 15, 2018

Please accept my condolences with the loss of your loved one.
Psalm 23:3.
Respectfully,
SC

January 15, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Helen Collins

Jan

20

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

St. Celestine Catholic Church

Elmwood Park, IL

Jan

20

Memorial Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Celestine Catholic Church

Elmwood Park, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home

1800 Eastland Drive, Bloomington, IL 61704

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