Mary Barbara Collins

Mary Barbara (McDonough) Collins, a longtime Walpole resident, died peacefully on July 1, 2016, after a long illness.

Born in Norwood on May 28, 1930, a daughter of Michael and Helen Durris (Hannaford) McDonough, Mary Barbara attended Walpole schools. As a young adult she was an accomplished figure skater, member of the Skating Club of Boston, and toured nationally with the Ice Capades show. She was also employed for many years as a telephone operator at Raytheon. Mary Barbara enjoyed playing the piano, reading, crossword puzzles, and watching classic movies. Her greatest joy was spending time with her two children and their families.

Wife of the late Gerald F. Collins, Mary Barbara leaves a son, Martin Collins and his wife Susan of Franklin; a daughter, Carey (Collins) Mercier and her husband Tim of Maryland; and six grandchildren: Evan and Justin Collins of Franklin; and Ryan, Lindsay, Marissa and Brendan Mercier of Maryland. She also leaves two sisters: Betsy Lockhart and her husband Don of Harwichport, and Nancy Munro of Walpole; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends Rick and Evelyn Marley of Walpole.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the Visiting Hours on Thursday, July 7, 2016 from 4-8 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole with a prayer service to conclude at 8PM. Funeral and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.