Mary Anne (nee Burke) Collins

Mary Anne Collins (Burke), beloved mother and grandmother, was born on July 26, 1930 and passed away at home December 13, 2021. She was 91 years old.  She was born in Joliet, Illinois, to William Bernard Burke (a Joliet police officer) and Mary Evelyn Gorman Burke. She was the oldest of two daughters in a strong Irish Catholic family. She graduated from Joliet Catholic High School. 

Mary Anne met her future husband, John “Jack” Joseph Collins in a hospital visit. He was assigned to the same room as her father, also a patient. The rest is history! They married on September 8, 1951 and had 55 years together and raised 5 children. They lived in Chicago, then moved to Twin Lakes, WI, where Mary Anne was a busy and devoted mother, holding down the fort with five energetic children while her husband worked and traveled on sales jobs. After a brief move to Ohio, they lived in Deerfield, IL, and then settled in Lake Villa, where they lived for over 45 years. She also had an impressive career for 20+ years at the Baxter International Healthcare Corporation in Round Lake and Waukegan, IL, in documentation and managing in the labeling department.

Mary Anne loved anything Irish and traveled to Ireland three times. She often enjoyed golf in her free time. She was in a golf league with longtime co-worker and friend, Judy Mooney, for close to 15 years and 4 courses. In her later years Mary Anne was an avid crossword puzzle and Jeopardy fan!

Mary Anne’s Catholic faith was everything to her, and it was her joy to attend Mass every time she was able. She had a real relationship with God, and prayed for all her children and grandchildren.  She truly lived out her Christian faith with love and always thought the best of everyone.  Mary Anne had sparkling blue eyes and was a great storyteller. She had a quiet, calm presence, but underneath it all was a very strong Irish will!  She was the anchor of our family.

She is predeceased by her parents, by her husband, Jack Collins, Sr., and by her beloved sister, Alyce Burke Kietzman.  She is survived by her 5 children: Jack (Mary) Collins, New Hampshire; Pat (Kay) Collins, Florida; Karen Gramza, Illinois; Tim (Joy) Collins, Wisconsin; and Barry Collins, Illinois.  She had 6 grandchildren:  Troy (Erin) Collins, Dani Collins, Chris (Christina) Gramza, Lauren Ash Collins, Jaci (Andy) Collins McGuire, and Sean (Brooke) Collins. She had 21 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Lakes-St. Bede Catholic Church, 36455 N. Wilson Rd, Ingleside, IL.  Private burial at St. John Cemetery, Twin Lakes, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bede on her behalf.  

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