Jean Ann Collison, born Dec. 28, 1940 in Edgartown, died on Sept. 18 in New Bern, N.C.

Mrs. Collison received her associate degree in nursing from Massasoit Community College and worked as a registered nurse in emergency care, eventually overseeing the creation and implementation of a coordinated emergency management system for the Cape and Islands EMS district.

Mrs. Collison met her husband of 41 years, Curtis Lee Collison Jr., on Martha’s Vineyard, where he was her sailing instructor. The family lived on the Vineyard for several years where she worked and volunteered at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. In July, she attended her 50th reunion for the class of 1959 at Edgartown High School.

Retiring to New Bern, N.C. she became an active member in the community. Mrs. Collison was a member of both the Questers and the New Bern Women’s Club, serving on the board of each organization. With Questers, she led the Cedar Grove cemetery restoration project and hosted many fund-raising luncheons at her home. With the New Bern Women’s Club, she spearheaded the Tea with Talbots and chaired many Holly and Ivy tours.

Mrs. Collison was predeceased by her husband, Curtis Lee Collison Jr., her mother, Clara Brown, and her father, William Brown. Mrs. Collison is survived by her son Curtis Lee Collison 3rd and grandson Curtis Collison 4th, both of Sunrise, Fla.; twin sons, Eric of Rockville, Md., and Jeffrey and daughter in law, Jessica, of Alexandria, Va.; her sister, Sandra, and brother in law, Dennis Arnold, of Edgartown; her brother James and sister in law, Linda of Windsor, Maine; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Visitation and a funeral were held this week at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern, N.C., where Mrs. Collison was a member.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to either Questers or New Bern Women’s Club. Questers donations should be made payable to Questers Earl of Craven and sent to Gretchen Carroll, 211 King St., New Bern, NC 28560. New Bern Women’s Club donations should be made payable and sent to New Bern Women’s Club, P.O. Box 302, New Bern, NC 28563.