A gathering of family and friends for Carolyn E. Collins will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, followed by United States Air Force Military Honors at 4:00 p.m. Carolyn began her life in Calhoun County, Iowa on December 23, 1935. She was born to Leona C Highberger and Michael B. Highberger. She was the 3rd child born with two siblings Barney and Beverly. Carolyn and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1947. She graduated from Bishop Hogan High School on May 28, 1953. Following her graduation she went to work for Prudential Insurance Company from June 1953 until December 1953. Carolyn entered the United States Air Force on January 26, 1954 where she served as a Personnel Specialist until Jan 31, 1956. On June 11, 1955, she married Paul Benny Collins, also in the Air Force. In December, 1956, she gave birth to her first child, William Bert Collins. It was at this point that Carolyn’s strength of character was first noted. Her husband was unable to be present for the birth of their first child because he was in the hospital in Pennsylvania. Carolyn was able to be strong for her husband and son so they could return to Kansas City, Missouri to begin a life together with their son. In October, 1957, Carolyn gave birth to Paula Elizabeth Collins, 1959 to Richard Carl Collins, 1961- Carol Sue Collins, 1963-Steven Ray Collins and 1967-Jean Marie Collins. Her children always remained her main priority as well as contributing to the family income. She worked at various locations such as Kansas City Credit, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Agriculture. In 1973, she began her longest stint of employment at Research Medical Center as a keypunch operator, business office representative and in the benefits office. Her children have distant memories of her working times because she was always available for them. Following the loss of her son and her husband in 1974, Carolyn’s only concern was for her remaining 5 children and their well being. She somehow gathered the strength to rise above her circumstances and provide a stable home for her children. Many family members, friends and co-workers were in awe of her ability and strength. Her children describe her as a loving, understanding, forgiving, intelligent, and accepting mother. As Carolyn’s life continued she remained strong through the loss of her mother in 1982 and her father 6 months later. She remained strong as she supported her children through the trials in their lives. She was always the pillar in her family and her children leaned on her for comfort and support. Carolyn retired from Research Medical Center after 20+ years and decided to travel to places that she had never gotten to see. You should see all the pictures! She and her sister Beverly saw many places together such as the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, several times to Hawaii and various parts of the United States. She also enjoyed knitting, collecting items such as Beanie Babies, owls and coffee mugs (to name a few items), sewing and buying presents for her children and grandchildren. No matter where she was or what she was doing, her children were constantly on her mind. She accepted each new family addition that her children brought to their families including grandchildren, step children etc. Every child was acknowledged and loved. She thrived on teaching traditional and family values to her children and grandchildren. She taught about love at Christmas, made birthdays special and acknowledged every holiday. Sometimes her children thought it was silly but they soon learned the importance of these values and have passed these on to their own children. Carolyn was considered healthy until August 2005; over the next 5 years she suffered from various illnesses but continued to focus on her children and grandchildren. While in the hospital in July 2010, it was discovered that Carolyn’s cancer had returned. Even though she struggled with the pain, her main concern was for her children as she waited to see each one and give them her message. She needed to make sure that each one of her children was going to be “okay”. She accepted her fate with the strength and fortitude that she was so noted for. Her children expressed to her their love and appreciation for the kind of Mother she had been to them and the important role she played in each of their lives. She passed away on August 4, 2010 at 5:55 AM into a deep and peaceful sleep as she knew her journey on earth was over and her children and grandchildren would miss her very, very much but that they would be “okay”.
We Love You- You are our HERO!! May you rest in peace- MOMMY
Carolyn was preceded in death by: Richard Collins (son), Paul Collins (husband), Leona Highberger (Mother), Michael Highberger (Father), Bethany Kasingter (Granddaughter), Anna Zoe Bosch (Great Granddaughter) and recently her brother Barney Highberger (June 2010). Carolyn is survived by her Son- William Collins (daughter-in-law Tami), her daughter- Paula Collins (son-in-law Keith), her son-Steven Collins (daughter-in-law Karen), her daughter- Carol Sue Bosch (son-in-law Chris), and her daughter - Jean McLean. Her sister-Beverly Gardner, Nephew- Michael Gardner, Niece- Patty Medlin and Niece- Christy VanLeewen and 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.
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