Lynn J Kollins

Lynn J. Kollins, age 88, of Chicago, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. She was born in 1932 to Mr. and Mrs. William Larsen. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sibling and friend. She will be forever remembered for her immense generosity and her never defeatist attitude. Lynn retired from an extensive and very accomplished career, with Baxter Healthcare Corporation, twenty-three years ago. She is survived by Richard S. Kollins (husband), Scott R. Kollins (son), Linda Kollins Spitzer (daughter), R. Connor Spitzer (grandson), and Tyler Kollins Spitzer (grandson).

These were Lynn’s final thoughts and wishes.......

“I leave this world to begin a new and amazing journey. Always remember, one day we will all be together again.”

To my loving and devoted husband, Richard…….

I loved you, and I always will. I was very fortunate to have been able to call you mine for over sixty-five years. We have lived and we have endured for so many wonderful years. I was in very poor health for a very long time. I was afraid to leave this world and you because I did not want to be alone. My final illness took my fears away as I slowly slipped away. But, you know the “Larsen’s,” we were stubborn and fighters until the very end. Please remember this…I will always be “around you.” You will never have to look far. And know this….

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe in me, also. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am. (John 14:2-3)

Until this time, my dear Richard, enjoy the rest of your life. Be kind, be loving, be generous and be patient. Be strong and be supportive. And lastly, know that we will be with each other again for all of eternity.

Your loving and devoted wife, Lynn

To my son, Scott, my first born……..

I gave birth to you, but you came with no instructions. I made many mistakes, but please do not hold that against me. I did not always like who you were, but remember, I always loved you. My choices did not always make you happy, but they were made to keep you safe. You learned to stand up on your own two feet, but I was always there, in the shadows, just in case. I was not always your friend, but I was always your parent. You grew up and were no longer a child, but you will always be my child, you will always be my first born.

Your loving mother.....

To my precious daughter, Linda........

I leave you with these words of wisdom by Erma Bombeck. I have a feeling you, too, will be sharing these same words somewhere down the road...........

“Some day, when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I will tell them....

I loved you enough to ask about where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to worry about your health.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment and tears in my eyes.

I loved you enough to be overprotective.

I loved you enough to not let you make excuses for bad manners and lack of respect.

I loved you enough to choose to put myself last, every day.

I loved you enough to ignore what “ every other mother did.”

I loved you enough to let you stumble, fail and fall, so that you could learn to stand alone.

I loved you enough to remove people from my life so that I could protect you.

I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for forgiveness.

But most of all, I loved you enough to risk you hating me for decisions that I made in the hope that I was doing what was best for you. And, that was the hardest part of all.”

Always remember our precious memories of hot dogs on Lake Michigan, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You light Up My Life, I Just Called to Say I Love You, and I Hope You Dance.

I love you, and I am so very proud of the woman and the mother you have become. Mom

To my amazing grandson, Connor........

As I grew older, I thought the best part of my life was over...Then, I held my first grandchild, you, and I realized the best part of my life had just begun. I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me Nana. You were my first beloved and precious grandchild. You are now a grown man, with a whole new life and bright future ahead of you. I will be forever proud of you....Love, Nana

To my cherished grandson, Tyler........

You were my last grandson, my precious “Baby Blue Eyes.” You always made my heart smile. You were my partner in crime. Please remember how very much I loved you and cherished you. As you grow older, you will face many more obstacles in life. Stay strong, be confident and just do your very best. Should there be a time, if you ever stumble in life, just know that I will always firmly believe in you, and all of your amazing abilities. I will always love you to the moon and back...Nana

The Family will receive guests between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at H. M. Patterson & Son (Canton Hill), 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30068.

A private family mass will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Ann.

Interment will take place, at a later date, at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, 8600 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles Illinois 60714-1946.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider offering up prayers/masses in the name of Lynn J. Kollins.