Patricia Collins of Riverview passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on December 14, 2023. Born in Moncton in 1942, she was the daughter of the late Jean Vautour.
Patricia was affectionately known as Pat; her priorities were family and friends, she was always there for any of us that needed her, always loving, supportive, and stern when we needed it. Pat will live on in many of the lives she touched in her strength, generosity, wisdom, and traditions that she has passed on to her family. She loved family gatherings and always served up the best potato salad or meat pie at Christmas. She so looked forward to and enjoyed her weekly outings with her friends, sharing stories from the previous week’s happenings (maybe a little gossip lol).
Everyone that knew Pat knows that she loved to shop and taking trips to Maine to do so. Before her mother passed, they would go often. She used to say, "look what I got you," and her face would light up with all the bargains she brought home. She loved a good bargain, and she loved her bling, she worked hard for everything she had, and we were proud of all she had accomplished.
Pat was also passionate about gardening - her yard was immaculate and always blooming with flowers and she worked hard to keep it so. She was out pulling weeds and cleaning up her back yard and Susan’s in October this year even when not feeling so well, she would not let us do it alone. She passed this passion onto her 2 daughters who she often helped at their homes.
Pat always worked, right up until spring of 2023, but had very few employers and that was because she was dedicated. For 40 plus years she worked for Dr. Asad Mahmud until her retirement and she and Dr Mahmud’s family forged a lasting friendship. Working full time was never enough and she always had side jobs to keep her busy and an opportunity to meet new people: part time custodian for the school district, a catering business, and a domestic cleaning business right up to spring 2023. Pat was also President of her condo association for many years right up to her leaving us, she was emphatic about making sure everything was looked after for everyone.
She will be remembered and missed by her daughters Susan (Vernon) Bennett of Lower Coverdale and Patricia (Marty) Leaman of Fort MacMurray, and grandchildren Richard Bennett and Savannah Deschênes. Patricia will also be remembered and missed by her sister Judy Dinsmore, brother James (Wendy) Vautour, brothers-in-law Gordon (Helen)Collins, Richard (BettyAnn) Collins, and Ronald Collins, sisters in-law Beulah Morrissey and Ethel Butland, several nieces and nephews, best friend Carol Chappell, and her beloved fur baby Rosie.
Aside from her mother, Patricia was predeceased by her husband Donald Collins, grandson-in-law Frank Deschênes, brothers-in-law Doug, Everette, Weldon, Alger, Arnold, Leroy, Sydney, and Reginald, and sister-in-law Lillian.
A celebration of her life will be held at Cobb’s Funeral Home, and Cremation Center 330 Whitepine Rd. Riverview (869-2007) on December 30, 2023 from 1pm to 3:30 pm. Interment will take place in Holy Ghost Cemetery in the spring. Donations in Patricia’s memory may be made to the PAW Moncton, Canadian Cancer Society, or charity of choice.
