Barbara Elizabeth Collins Heydt

Barbara Elizabeth Collins Heydt, 86, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, in Catonsville, Maryland. Loved by many, she is remembered for her devotion to others and especially to those in need. She will be deeply missed.

Barbara was born on May 31, 1939, in Johnson City, New York and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Starting at a young age she was an active member of Hanson Place Central Methodist Church. She served as President of the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) and taught Sunday school. In high school, Barbara volunteered by escorting visually impaired students to their classrooms. She graduated in the top ten of her class at Erasmus Hall High School and earned a full scholarship to Boston University. There she studied physical therapy at Sargent College and graduated as salutatorian from Sargent and was awarded Summa cum Laude from Boston University in 1961. For nearly fifteen years she worked as a physical therapist at hospitals in Cambridge, MA, Syracuse, NY, Fort Wayne, IN, Cincinnati, OH, and finally at Bon Secours in Baltimore, MD.

While growing up, Barbara spent nearly every summer at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, an early planned community and active Methodist Camp Meeting site. It was here that she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Heydt. She was 15 and he was 16. They fell in love and kept in contact until each summer arrived and they could see each other again. They both worked waiting tables at the Cozy Cottage and spent time at the beach and with their many friends and family in the area. They married on June 18, 1960, at Hanson Place Central Methodist Church in Brooklyn, and began life in Cambridge, MA, as she finished her degree. The next several years saw them move for Bob's work with General Electric.

Above all, Barbara longed for a family, and her wish was fulfilled with the arrival of her son Kenneth and daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Heydt. A devoted mother, Barbara proudly encouraged her children in their academic and athletic pursuits. A huge supporter of their passion for soccer, she attended many of their practices, matches, and tournaments, traveling to Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida with Ken's teams. She even took a turn coaching Beth's recreational squad the year that saw them compete in the Columbia Memorial Day tournament.

After retiring from physical therapy work, Barbara volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels in Howard County. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church where she taught Vacation Bible School and helped with weekly flower arrangements. She later joined Glen Mar United Methodist Church and volunteered with the altar committee.

Once her children had moved on to college and their own lives, Barbara spent her time traveling and researching her family's genealogy. Several trips were taken to Salt Lake City to use the Mormon Library, others to Kentucky and Tennessee to visit small county courthouses and cemeteries to find distant relatives. Travels for pleasure included two separate trips to Australia and New Zealand, time in England, the Canadian Rockies, a visit to Newfoundland where she learned her father had 62 first cousins, as well as several trips to Disney World. One of her favorite pastimes was spending time with her young granddaughters, who brought light to her life and who remember her dearly for reading them stories aloud.

She's fondly remembered for her sense of humor and keen mind, recalling and retelling family stories. Her sharpened no. 2 pencil was always at the ready for crossword and sudoku puzzling, and she was eager to discuss the latest novel.

She is survived by her son Kenneth and wife Susan, daughter Elizabeth, two grandchildren, Rachael and Lauren Heydt, sister Linda Collins and wife Sybil Parker, brother Ken Collins and wife Kathy, along with cousins, nieces, and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Robert, her parents, Garland and Mary Collins, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland https://mealsonwheelsmd.org/give/honor-memorial-contribution/

The family would like to thank the staff and many caregivers at Charlestown by Erickson Senior Living, especially in Caton Woods and Wilton Overlook, as well as those working with Gilchrist hospice care for their presence and kindness.