Helen M. Collins

Helen M. Collins, born prematurely on March 18, 1924, in Corona, Queens, passed away at age 100. Weighing just 3 lbs at birth, Helen’s remarkable journey began with her mother keeping her warm in a shoe box on the radiator. Despite the odds, Helen grew into a determined and accomplished woman.

At just 16, she defied the norms of her time by attending Hunter College, where she earned her degree. She later went on to achieve a master’s degree, a testament to her dedication to education. Helen became a teacher in the Syosset Central School District, inspiring countless students over the years with her passion for learning.

Helen married John P. Collins, and together they raised a family in Syosset, NY. She was the proud mother of three children, grandmother to five, and great-grandmother to seven.

Known for her love of sweets, a fondness for watching Judge Judy, and a special adoration for her “littles,” Helen’s family was always the center of her world. Her legacy will live on through the generations she so dearly loved.

A funeral mass for Helen will be held Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, 205 Jackson Ave, Syosset, NY 11791. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Brian Murphy Fund, https://stedwardconfessor.org/brian-murphy-fund