Ruth E. Collins

Ruth E. Collins, 82, of Daytona Beach, FL and formerly of Meadville, passed away Monday, November 4, 2013 in Ormond Beach, FL.

She was born July 9, 1931 in Camden, NJ, a daughter of Francis A. and Ruth Klock Burns.  She married Charles R. O’Brien April 23, 1955 and he preceded her in death July 29, 1970.  She subsequently married Robert C. Collins June 17, 1978 and he preceded her in death October 14, 2005.

Ruth received her Registered Nurse degree from Massachusetts Memorial Hospital, Boston.  She was employed as a registered nurse at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital, Spencer Hospital, Meadville City Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, and retired from Meadville Medical Center.  Following retirement, she worked part-time at Hillside Home and Wesbury United Methodist Community.

Ruth was a member of St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church and its Altar Rosary Society.  She was a life-member of the Meadville Medical Center auxiliary, was a volunteer at Meadville Medical Center, and was an avid sewer.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathryn Crask and her husband Greg of Peyton, CO; a son, Richard O’Brien of Daytona Beach, FL and his fiancée JoAnne Detzel; two stepchildren, Pamela Wachowiak and her husband Charles of Meadville and Robert C. Collins, Jr. of Meadville; a sister, Carolyn Miller of Ormond Beach, FL; a brother, Francis A. Burns, Jr. and his wife Judy of Deland, FL; five grandchildren, Nicole, Daniel, Melissa, Kimberly, and Rebecca; six great-grandchildren, Julia, Ethan, Rian, Annabella, Danielle, and Alexander; and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, November 26th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agatha Church, 353 Pine St., Meadville with Fr. Matthew Kujawinski, as Celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Agatha Church, 353 Pine St. or the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., both of Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.