Judith Collins, 80, Loved Family Reunions on Island

Judith Morse Collins of Edgartown died Oct. 25 at the age of 80.

She was the daughter of Melvin Lowrey Morse and Mildred Bent Morse of Wellesley Hills.

Judy was born on Feb. 28, 1926, in Wellesley Hills.

The year before, her father bought a cottage on Martha's Vineyard from Alice Slocum Frost, a sister of Joshua Slocum. The Morse family spent its summers on the Vineyard throughout her childhood, so her love for the Vineyard was established at an early age. Other relatives have established homes on the Vineyard over the years.

Upon graduation from high school, Judy attended Wheelock College, and was graduated in 1948 with a bachelor of arts degree in education. She taught first grade in Newton and in Clearwater, Fla. for several years.

During her school years, she was violinist in the Morse family orchestra along with cellist Marcia, pianist Marylyn, flutist Melvin, and violinists Mildred and cousin Peggy.

Judy and her husband, E.B. Collins, met while she was teaching in Florida and he was there on vacation.

On Oct. 6, 1951, Judy married E.B. Collins. They initially lived in Atlanta, Ga., where he was employed by Sears, Roebuck, and Co. Following the path of his work, they lived in Atlanta, Ga., New Orleans La., Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn. and Columbus, Ohio. During this time, they continued to visit extended family on the Vineyard every summer.

Anticipating retirement, they built a home in Edgartown in 1984. Judy moved in as soon as construction permitted and E.B. joined her when he retired in 1987. The Vineyard remains the focal point for the family, who come together every summer for a reunion.

Judy was a devoted mother, dedicated to the development of her children. She believed very strongly in the value of education, encouraging everyone to reach for goals they might not have thought possible for themselves. In recent years, she provided similar encouragement to her grandchildren.

Over the years, Judy developed a passion for the game of tennis. She became an avid player, and her enthusiasm spilled over to her children and grandchildren. She also had a great love for animals, and frequently took in stray cats.

Judy and E.B. celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the Island on 2001, and they shared their 55th anniversary just prior to her passing.

Despite an initial diagnosis of cancer in 1991, Judy managed to lead her life on her own terms until just before her death.

The high point of her year was the gathering of her family on the Vineyard in the summer. She spent her last days surrounded by her husband and children and died peacefully in her sleep at home in her favorite "sun room."

Judy devoted her life to her family, for which they will always be grateful. She leaves a void in their lives, but also so many wonderful memories that she will always be a part of them.

Survivors include her husband, E.B. Collins of Edgartown; her sister, Marcia Morse Airis of Edgartown; her sons, Steven Morse Collins of Atlanta, Ga., and Gary Spencer Collins of Vienna, Austria; her daughters, Marcia Collins Fry of Wilmington, Del., Marilyn Collins Batchelor of Kingston, Mass., and Pamela Collins Cafiero of New Milford, Conn.; and her 12 grandchildren: Brigitte, Erin Marie, Bryan, Tyler, Tim, Lisa, Kyle, Kevin, Collin, Emma, Stephanie and Joseph.

A memorial service will be held in the Federated Church in Edgartown on Aug. 4, 2007.