Ruth Evelyn Collins

October 6, 1942 - January 10, 2025

Ruth Evelyn (Garlick) Collins, 82, of Blossvale, NY, passed away, in her sleep, on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Ruth was born on October 6, 1942, in Cleveland, NY, to Raymond and Eva Garlick. The second youngest of five siblings, Ruth developed a passion for music, reading and learning at an early age. When reminiscing about her grade school years at the Maple Flats one-room schoolhouse, Ruth would remark how she loved to do her homework and learn new things. This carried her onto Camden High School, where she graduated Valedictorian of her Class in 1960.

The Garlick family ran the strawberry farm in Cleveland. Ruth's first job was picking strawberries, at six cents a quart, with her siblings. After graduation, Ruth worked at a local bank. Ruth was married on October 7, 1961 to Calvin Collins. They then spent their lives together at the family farm, Grenholm Farms, where they raised their four sons, Philip, James, Gary and Keith.

While running a farm and raising four boys, Ruth and Calvin still made serving God a priority in their lives; they devoted their time to help found Fellowship Baptist Church in Verona Beach, NY. At this church, Ruth's ministry had a significant impact, as she not only taught Sunday School, but was constantly inviting people to church and driving anyone who needed a ride. Of her many joys in life, playing piano and organ, reading, writing and baking were chief among them. Ruth played piano and organ not only for her own delight, but also for Fellowship Baptist Church, and later, at Hillsboro Baptist Church.

Ruth collected and read hundreds of books in her lifetime, which fostered a love for writing. She enjoyed writing poetry and self-published seven books of her poems and family memoirs. She was a prodigious baker and would often have bake sales.

Ruth was the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren and enjoyed the hobby of filling albums with the many photos she took of their fun times together.

Ruth was greatly loved and will be deeply missed, but her family is comforted to know that, after a lifetime of sharing the love of Jesus with everyone she knew, Ruth is now in Heaven with her Savior Jesus.

Ruth is preceded by her parents, Raymond and Eva Garlick; her sister, Pauline Billington; and her son, Keith Collins.

She is survived by her husband, Calvin Collins; her sisters, Esther Damon and Carolyn Wine; brother, David Garlick; and her sons, Phillip Collins, James Collins and Gary Collins and their families.

Calling hours will be held at LaRobardiere Funeral Home, in Camden, NY, on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, in Verona Beach, NY, on Saturday, January 18, 2025 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Hillsboro Baptist Church, Hillsboro Road, Camden, NY 13316 or Hospice and Palliative Care, 4227 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.

Please share memories and condolences at larobardierefuneralhome.com.