Mary Jo Collins

Mary Jo “Dolly” Collins, 88, of Livonia, MI, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020. Born on November 20, 1931 in Brockway, PA. Daughter of Italian immigrants Joseph and Maria Jiamachello, and the youngest along with her twin brother, Nick, to 6 older siblings, all previously deceased. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Colton Collins. Cherished mother of Denise (Dave) Collins-Robison; Greg (Zita) Collins; Jan (John) Shamraj; Sue (Bob) Kalweit; and Pam (Glenn) Pieschke. Adored Nana of Emily (Kalweit, Joel) Poremba, Max Pieschke, Jacob Robison, Nick Kalweit, Rachel Pieschke, Colton Robison and Maria Shamraj, and delighted Nonna of great-grandson James Poremba. She is also survived by a sister-in-law and 17 nieces and nephews.

Mary Jo graduated from Henry Ford Hospital Nursing School in Detroit, and worked as a Psychiatric Nurse at Northville State Hospital in the early 1950s, where she met her husband Colton, the resident dentist; then at St. Mary’s Hospital in Livonia for 16 years before retiring in 1989. She was a long-time member of St. Edith Catholic Church in Livonia, where she sang in the funeral choir for 21 years, and was an early and 26 year member and an event coordinator of the New Dawn widow’s group. She loved spending time with her family and friends, cooking and celebrating holidays, attending operas and Senior’s group events, and traveling to the family UP cottage and around the world. She was deeply devoted to her faith, family and friends, and will be dearly missed by all, as we were blessed by her long life, strong spirit, and loving, generous nature.

Due to COVID restrictions, a limited visitation will be held at Harry J Will Funeral Home in Livonia on Friday, July 3rd from 9:00am to 11:00am followed by a limited Funeral Mass at St. Edith Catholic Church in Livonia at 12:00pm. Mary Jo will be laid to rest at Parkview Memorial Cemetery.

Donations may be made to St. Edith Catholic Church 15089 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, MI 48154 in memory of Mary Jo Collins.