Barbara A. Collins

SOUTH BARRE – Barbara Anne Collins, 78, of Wilmuth Street, died early Friday morning, August 28, 2015 at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. Her family had been at her bedside.
Born May 1, 1937 in Montpelier, she was the daughter of Andrew “Dale” Canova Tomasi, who came from Turin, Italy and Lucille Ruth Barnes of Lebanon, NH.
She was educated in St. Michael’s Elementary School and graduated from Montpelier High school in 1955. While in high school, Barbara picked produce for local farmers, provided child care for many area families, worked in cousin Bert Tomasi’s store on Main Street and was employed one summer at the Trapp Family Lodge.
Following her high school graduation, Barbara worked in the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office in Montpelier, was a teller at the former People’s National Bank in Barre, worked in several positions at the National Life Insurance Company, and finished her working career at Howard’s Friendly Market in South Barre.
On November 26, 1956, she married Francis J. “Flip” Collins at St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier. All of their married life had been spent in South Barre.
She enjoyed motorcycle travelling with her husband, butterflies, red cardinal birds, flowers, country music, dancing, casino gambling and card playing and will be remembered for the love of her family and close friends and the times they shared together.
Her memberships included St. Monica Catholic Church, the League of St. Jude and the Central Vermont Humane Society.
Besides her husband, she leaves her daughter, Katherine Anne Collins, of Barre City; her son, Frank Collins, and his wife, Terri, of Rochester, NH, as well as her special grandson, Michael.
Also surviving are 2 brothers; Andy Tomasi, and his wife, Jenny, and Jimmy Dale Tomasi, and his wife, Debbie, and sister, Bonnie Lee Tomasi and nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and step mother, Florence, she was predeceased by her sister, Marsha, and brother, Ernest, who died in infancy.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre.
Inurnment will follow in St. Sylvester Cemetery in Barre Town.
Friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.