Penny Lee Collins

Penny Lee Collins Mother Eileen Collins Father Raymond Collins Daughter & Son-in-law Amanda Durante (Alex) Grandchildren Russell Durante & Arlo Durante Sister Laurie Vinson (Allen) Sister Kathrine Collins Sister Mary Lou Manzo (Dominick) Brother Willis Collins Preceded in death by: Grandparents: Murl & Myrtle Bair Grandparents: Willis & Retha Collins Officiating minister Pastor Brad Blissett Visitation No visitation Memorial Service Book Road Baptist Church 2012 Wicklow Road Naperville, Illinois 60564 January 13, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Written by Amanda: Penny Lee Collins, born on January 31, 1965 in Elmhurst to Eileen and Raymond Collins has passed away peacefully at the age of 53 years on January 11, 2019, at her home, surrounded by family. Penny was passionate about art, writing poetry, and photography. In 2006, she put together a book of her poems, “Shattered Pieces in the Master’s Hands” and had it published. The book of her heartfelt poetry has been enjoyed by many. Penny was a devoted mother and grandmother. She never outgrew her imaginative spirit and making childhood magical was her specialty. In her daughter’s youth, Penny put together elaborate tea parties, did dress up photo shoots, and sang a plethora of made up songs. Penny truly was an amazing mother and in later years, a wonderful mother-in-law to Alex Durante. Despite her long history of illness, Penny succeeded in building a lifetime’s worth of memories with her grandchildren. Russell and Arlo. She spent countless hours playing dinosaurs, cars, having water balloon fights and just fueling their imaginations. Penny was very proud to be a Grandma and she had thousands of photos to prove it. Penny had such an energy for life and that energy will be deeply missed. Written by Penny’s sister Laurie Vinson: My sister Penny was younger than I. As the oldest, it was my responsibility to make sure the kids were behaving and entertained. I remember playing hide and seek around the barn at the Platten’s farm in Wisconsin, and games like Cowgirls and Indians outside as we chased each other in the yard on our imaginary horses. Another one of our favorite imagination games to play was I Dream of Jeannie. We dressed up like Jeannie, put our hair in a pony-tail and would then blink and make the “sound” as we moved around…pretending we had powers as we popped out from corners of the basement or out from the food shelves in the basement of our old house on Linden. Penny had a tender heart towards animals. We always seemed to manage to find a sick or injured duck or rabbit that needed our medical attention. Unfortunately, not many of our patients survived our medical attention, and ended up in a little animal plot we had in the back yard by the raspberry bushes. But, no matter the outcome, she never gave up trying to help the next poor creature to come across her path. Penny sure loved poetry. She had written probably a thousand poems and had memorized all of them by number. I remember one time we were at the movies, and she was in the next bathroom stall. We were in there talking and I bet her that if I called out a number, she wouldn’t know the poem. I called out a number (like #257) and she began to quote the poem to me. Penny was a bit quirky in some ways. For example, she was very OCD about the placement of things in her house. I couldn’t help myself from having a little fun at her expense. On one particular visit, I took the opportunity when she had left the room for a minute, to move some placemats that were on her table. I hadn’t gone more than a mile down the road before my phone rang and it was Penny. I was busted! She found everything I had moved. Not sure if she found it to be as hilarious as I did, but like I said, I couldn’t help myself. Penny has been sick for such a long time and that has prevented her from being able to participate in as many activities and events as she would have liked to. Our last family outing was the girl trip to Gatlinburg and we had a good time in the mountains visiting some shops and taking in a dinner show at the Hatfield’s and McCoys. As much as it pains me to say good bye to my little sister, I am happy that I was able to tell her I love her and to hear her say she loves me too. I know her suffering is over and now she rests in the arms of Jesus. Written by Kathrine Collins – sister: My first friend was Penny. We shared a room throughout most of our childhood. Moments flash as snapshots forever in time. I see matching long knit elfin like caps we wore as we dipped our heads back and they swept the floor, pretending we had long hair. Hiding in the front closet waiting for Santa and when he came clinging and hiding behind the hanging coats as Santa creaked the door open and offered an orange and candy stocking. Practicing and performing plays with our sister and brother for a quarter to family and friends. Pretending we were Jeanie’s , drawing, and cutting out details on the inside of a bottle and putting them in a caning jar as if a Jeanie’s magic bottle. Playing Barbie’s, wishing we had all their clothes and making dating dreams come true. Telling secrets and reading comics with a flashlight, giggling till we got in trouble. Reading Grimm’s fairy tales in our blanket covered fort, held down with bricks, across the basement stairwell. Camping in the backyard under our swing set tee pee till we freaked out and came inside or on the weekends camping out in the back of the old green ford station wagon listening to mystery theatre on the radio, parked in our drive. Riding our bikes down the construction hills and bike trials the next neighborhood over. Drinking a lot of water so we would have to get up early to cut through the cow pasture, dodging cow pies and thistles on our way to the barn for milking at the neighbor farmer, The Platten’s. Horseback riding with friends and hanging out in the neighborhood listening to The Beatles, Writing on the street in chalk, Beatles Rule and John Lennon, afraid we would get in trouble for sure!. We had such fun and I am truly fortunate to have been blessed with a friend and sister. Written by Mary Lou Manzo– sister: You’re stepping towards the light Your old life soon left behind, And as this now is happening The words I try to find. ‘Twas a life filled with hurts; A past filled with pain, And now it’s a realization There’s no more time to gain. The ticking of the clock For us all The hands will stop; But it’s you that is on the summit Looking back now from the top. At a life so filled with anger And now filled with regret, We’ve all gathered at the table now But one less place is set. In the end I wish you no more pain Although the regrets are many; And now I have to let you go Goodbye, my sister Penny. So I bid you Farewell for your journey ahead May Peace and Love set you free. No more pain, no more sorrow, only happy tomorrows, Good bye, dear sister Penny. Written by Willis Collins – brother - Penny really liked this song: 1. Life is like a mountain railway, With an engineer that’s brave; We must make the run successful, From the cradle to the grave; Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels; Never falter, never fail; Keep your hands upon the throttle, And your eyes upon the rail. o Refrain: Blessed Savior, Thou wilt guide us, Till we reach that blissful shore, Where the angels wait to join us In Thy praise forevermore. 2. You will roll up grades of trial; You will cross the bridge of strife; See that Christ is your conductor On this lightning train of life; Always mindful of obstruction, Do your duty, never fail; Keep your hands upon the throttle, And your eyes upon the rail. 3. You will often find obstructions, Look for storms and wind and rain; On a fill, or curve, or trestle They will almost ditch your train; Put your trust alone in Jesus, Never falter, never fail; Keep your hands upon the throttle, And your eyes upon the rail. 4. As you roll across the trestle, Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide, You behold the Union Depot Into which your train will glide; There you’ll meet the Sup’rintendent, God the Father, God the Son, With the hearty, joyous plaudit, “Weary Pilgrim, welcome home.” Written by Penny’s mother: Into our life God sent a gift He showed us His goodness and love, And blessed us with a little girl That we could cuddle and love. For many long months we waited, And fretted, and worried some too. We wanted our baby healthy, whole; If not, then what would we do? The day she came, how to explain Of the burden that rolled away. For we must confess God did bless And showed us His love that day! Many years have come and gone, But we still remember that day, And we thank the Lord for sending Our Penny from heaven to stay. Written by Raymond Collins – Father: As I stepped out our home in Darien, I saw my five-year old Penny swinging very high on the family swing set. As she was swinging, she loudly sang her favorite song – “Jesus Love Me, Yes, I know, For the Bible tells me so…” Even at a young age, Penny was trying to evangelize the neighborhood and if she could…the Whole World! As a pre-teen Penny was active in Awana and very adept at memorizing Bible verses . Penny was a very quiet, sincere and trusting girl. Penny has a beautiful daughter, Amanda, who has matured into a beautiful woman and married a fine young gentleman, named Alex and together they have two fine and handsome sons, Russell and Arlo. All of us love you, Penny, and have many wonderful memories of you that will stay in our hearts forever. With all my love, Dad.

Penny Lee Collins

January 31, 1965 - January 11, 2019