Leslie Maria Ross-Collins

Leslie Maria Ross-Collins passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side in the early morning of August 29, 2025.
Leslie was born on March 22,1953 in Berwyn, IL. She spent the majority of her childhood living in Chicago and moved to Arlington Heights where she finished her high school years. Leslie pursued her passion for art and received a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Western Illinois University. Leslie went on to work in graphic design at Motorola. A few years later Leslie was set up on a blind date and met the love of her life, Larry Collins. They were married on June 20, 1981. They moved to McHenry in 1986 and had their family home built. Many memories were made with their children, family and friends during the 33 years in that home. They moved to Lake Geneva, WI in 2019 enjoying the area while still driving back to McHenry often for family events.
Leslie exuded a warm and loving energy, which she communicated perhaps even more through spirit than words. She let all those at the center of her life, both people and animals, realize in a gentle yet unambiguous way how deeply connected she felt to them, and how eager she was to bolster those bonds.
Creativity was Leslie's hallmark. She sought to bring beauty and flair to everything she did. Her ever-changing hairstyles and exuberant fashion choices reflected her love of the unique and eye-catching elements of the world around her, as did her hunger to travel and savor the unique tastes of the many lands she visited. Virtually all of Leslie's artwork focused on animals, including her stylized horse paintings, sketches, elephant sculpture, and ceramic rendering of a lion, all beloved by four generations of her family. Horses were a great passion. She loved not only riding them but also caring for and connecting with horses through touch and emotion. Her family's cats and dogs enriched her life profoundly. When recently asked what makes the world a better place, Leslie answered in a single word, "Animals."
One of the most expressive and compelling ways Leslie conveyed her love was through decorating and preparing for the holidays, particularly Christmas. Weeks in advance she would begin preparing her lavish table settings, which were replete with holiday candles, playful decorations, and personalized touches for each individual guest. Throughout the entire year, Leslie found ways to make everyone around her feel special and loved.
Ultimately, Leslie was driven by a strong spirit of individualism. She complemented her deep compassion for all beings with a quiet inner strength and resilience that enabled her to maintain her dignity and bounce back stronger from setbacks, including profound ones.
Leslie was preceded in death by her mother, Wanda J. Bryza. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Larry Michael Collins, beloved daughter, Dana (Jimmy) Clingingsmith, son, Chris (Kira) Collins, and cherished grandchildren Colton, Wyatt Michael, Aurora and Caspian. She will be dearly missed by her brother, Matthew (Zeyno) Bryza and sister, Donya Izbicki, brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephew.
A visitation will be held at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory located at 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Rd McHenry, IL 60050 on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM, followed by an internment at Ringwood Cemetery located at 4403 Ringwood Rd, Ringwood, IL 60072. For information, please call the Justen Funeral Home, (815)385-2400 or visit www.justenfh.com.