Helen M. Collins

Age 90
Martinsville

Helen Collins (Malloy) passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2011. Helen was born at home on May 8, 1921 to James P. and Catherine (Prunty) Malloy. Helen was raised in Bound Brook on her family’s dairy farm. Helen was the youngest and last surviving of nine children. Helen was predeceased by her parents, by her husband of 61 years, James M. Collins, by her sisters Margaret, Loretta and husband George Clavin, Catherine and husband Jim Cody, Ann, and by her brothers John and wife Rose, James and wife Kay, Francis and wife Agnes and Peter . Helen is survived by Ann Malloy, wife of Peter , and Joseph Burke, husband of Ann.

Helen is also survived by her four children, son Col. James M. Collins II, USMC (Ret) and wife Cherie; son Michael P. Collins and wife Jocelyn; daughter Maureen M. Koenen; daughter Ellen P. Siers and husband Jim; by Gordon Koenen; by her loving and longtime caretaker Danguole R., by nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Helen graduated from St. Peter High School in New Brunswick where she met her future husband. Helen then completed training at St. Peter Hospital Nursing School and became a registered nurse.

After World War II, Helen began a career as an industrial nurse at American Cyanamid in Bound Brook while her family expanded. Helen and Jim then realized the dream of building their own home in 1955, in Martinsville , which she always referred to as “God’s Little Acre.” Helen continued her professional nursing career retiring from American Cyanamid in 1980. Helen also found time to provide care to numerous family members over the years.

Helen’s many interests included supporting the Martinsville Community Club, camping at Panther Lake , NJ , sewing, quilting, dancing, and swimming. Helen was an avid swimmer, and as a member of the Bridgewater YMCA, she swam with a group of friends who called themselves the “Martinsville Mermaids.” Over many years Helen also enjoyed the company of her St. Peter Nursing School classmates who met together with their husbands as a Supper Club. Helen was a long-time member of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville .

Helen was proud of her home and her family. She brought great joy and laughter to those who knew her.

Visiting hours will be held at the Cusick Funeral Home in Somerville N.J. on Thursday, March 31 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. And also on Friday, April 1 from 8:30-9:30 am at the funeral home to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville . Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway . In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Martinsville Rescue Squad, 1771 Washington Valley Rd, P.O. Box 296 , Martinsville , NJ 08836