Betty Ann Bendfeldt Collins

January 3, 1931 - October 19, 2024
Betty Ann Bendfeldt Collins of Vienna, Virginia, beloved wife of Raymond Collins for 70 years passed away at 93 years of age on October 19, 2024, in Vienna, Virginia.
She was the daughter of the late Herman Bendfeldt and Betty Beebe Bendfeldt Bechard. Devoted mother of Jim Collins of Boydton, Virginia, Ann Stanford (Ted) of Annandale, Virginia, Nori Jones (Rodney) of Southport, North Carolina and Susan Massey of McLean, Virginia. She is also survived by brothers Seth Bendfeldt (Melissa) and Peter Bendfeldt (Joan) and grandchildren Kristen Collins, Jeff Collins, Nathan Stanford, and Renee Stanford; step grandchildren Theron Stanford, Sean Stanford and Emily Colson; and one great grandchild and eight step grandchildren.
She was predeceased by brothers Jerry, Steven and Kendrick, sisters Flo Frazier, Dian Anderson, Marlene Douglas, Teresa Campbell, and Judy Gallicchio.
Betty Ann was born in Meriden, CT, but shortly after her family moved to Niantic, CT where she left many footprints in the sand at the beaches in the area.
After graduating from Williams Memorial Institute (now The Williams School) she attended New Haven State Teacher's College (now Southern CT University) and graduated from Drew University. After graduating from Drew, she married Ray, who had just returned from active duty in Korea.
The married couple resided in half a Quonset, former military housing, on the campus of Yale University while completed his senior year. He had been drafted in his junior year.
The following fall, they moved to Princeton, NJ where their twins, Jim and Ann were born. They resided in former military housing reserved for graduate students. Upon joining the State Department, Ray was assigned to the Philippines where their daughter Nori was born. The next tour was five years in Japan where their daughter Susan was welcomed to the world.
In 1964, the family decided to put down roots in Vienna, VA. Betty Ann fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher. She was a part of a team that integrated Louise Archer Elementary. She took a sabbatical and earned her MEd from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and rounded out a 25-year teaching career at the historic school.
She traveled to Europe, China, Canada, and most of the 50 states. Her favorite vacation spot was Hawaii.
Betty Ann will be laid to rest in Niantic, CT. The memorial service will take place in conjunction with the annual family reunion on July 26, 2025. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Northern VA), P.O. Box 8693, Reston, VA 20195 https://nami-northernvirginia.org/ or Alternative House, 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22180. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered to the family at