Obituary - Rita Catherine Collins

Rita Catherine Collins, 103, of Henrico, Va., went to be with the Lord on July 23, 2022. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 70 years, Charles Vincent Collins; children, Gerald Maurice Collins and Mary Ellen Burne; siblings, Bernard Mullins, Eleanor Nolan, Veronica Mullins, Stanley Mullins, Donald Mullins, and Edward Mullins. She is survived by her children, Joan Balok (Joseph), and Thomas Collins; grandchildren, Amy Wozniak (Alex) and Melissa Miller (Mike; great grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, Michael, and Caroline; as well as many nieces and nephews. Rita was delivered right at midnight in Woodslee, Ontario, Canada by a doctor that arrived in a horse and buggy – a fact she always used to celebrate a birthday on both September 1st and 2nd. She relished life on the farm as a young girl, but eventually she met the love of her life, Charles, at a church picnic. They were married soon after, and she cherished her role as wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. For 70 years she and Charles were members of St. Paul on the Lake in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Later in life she developed a passion for painting, especially flowers. The family would like to extend their thanks for the love and care she received at Shorepointe Village in St. Clair Shores, Mi., St. Mary’s Woods in Richmond, Va., and Our Lady of Hope in Henrico, Va. The family will receive friends August 1, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7:45 p.m. at Bliley’s, 8510 Staples Mill Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 11 a.m. August 2, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Road, in Richmond.