Obituary
Obituary of Patricia Ann Collins
Please share a memory of Patricia to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Patricia Ann Collins affectionately called Patsy by family and close friends was born in Philadelphia PA on April 22, 1950 to Richard Nathaniel Daley of Harlem NY and Evelyn Hazel (Ward) Daley of Philadelphia, PA. She was the second eldest of 6 children. Even as a young child it was evident that Patsy would be an out spoken expressive person and destined to take on the role as family leader and protector of her older sister and younger brothers. Growing up she was often referred to as “Helpful Hana”, always helping around the house and on more than one occasion she would take on the role of mother when she would help her younger brothers Richard and Albert to get dressed and in tying their shoes.
Patricia was raised in both North and South Philadelphia and was educated in the Philadelphia public school system where she was always an excellent student. Patricia attended William Penn High School for Girls, where she sang on the school choir, took violin and flute lessons and participated in the 4H club. After auditioning and being accepted for the All City High School Choir, she continued to sing until she graduated. Her afterschool activities included volunteering as a Candy Striper at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with aspirations of becoming a nurse. As an adult she attended Temple University in Philadelphia for period of time majoring in Criminal Justice.
Shortly after settling in South Philadelphia, the family began to attend the First African Baptist Church where Patsy later became a member and was baptized. She and her siblings participated in Sunday School and Patsy joined the Brownies. However, Patricia always had a desire to be Catholic and in her late teens converted and attended Saint Charles Catholic Church in South Philadelphia. As a teen Patsy took on a new role with the addition of her two youngest brothers, Michael and Steven, becoming like a second mother. She would take them trick or treating, to parades, museums and other city events like visits with Santa. In this motherly role, she made sure that she kissed their boo-boo’s and kept them out of trouble.
Patricia would go on to married her neighborhood sweetheart Alfred Collins and moved to Provincetown, MA for a short time where she worked as a park ranger while Alfred served in the military. After returning to Philadelphia, she gave birth to her only son, Jason Ramon. Patsy loved being a new mother and did whatever it took to provide a warm and loving environment for her son, that included countless photography sessions. Patsy continued to be a family help providing transportation for summer weekend trips to the Jersey Shore and holiday get-a-ways, often baby-sitting younger cousins and running errands for older aunts. Patricia was a big hearted and loyal friend treating them all as family and would do almost anything to help anyone in need. She was a faithful and active member of Saint Cyprian Catholic Church for several years and loved to play bingo and go on church excursion. Additionally, she became a member of the Somali Rose Chapter of the Red Hat Society in Philadelphia. She enjoyed opening her home for Sunday dinners and holidays, especially Christmas preparing her famous sherbet punch. She cherished spending time and doing things for her nieces and nephews making sure they attended the ice shows and wrestling matches, but she especially cherished having her grandson Jay Jay to spoil. Patricia would later take on the role as the primary care giver and support for her mother, who’s health was declining. She continued that loving care until her mother’s passing in 2002.
Patsy worked numerous careers, most recently Wade Cable and Independence Blue Cross Blue Shield which she retired from in 2008. In addition to her full-time employment, Patricia worked several second and third jobs that included life guarding at local pools, Villanova University as event staff and for decades at the Philadelphia sports complexes which led to some private security opportunities. Of those opportunities, she worked during a Super Bowl, at least two Caribbean tours with Comedian Sinbad, the Republican National Convention and The World Meeting of Families with Pope Frances in 2016. Patricia didn’t mind working and when asked why she worked so much, her response would be, “So that Jason would have experiences and advantages that I wasn’t afforded.”
In the early spring of 2018, Patricia underwent surgery for what was believed to be a benign lung tumor. No one, even her doctor had no idea it would turn out to be so serious. Out of concern and wanting the best care for their mother, her son and daughter in-law Conchevia (Tonara) decided it would be best to have her closer to them. Although reluctant to leave Philadelphia at first, Patricia understood that it would be in everyone’s best interest for her to relocate to Dallas, Texas. In the beginning, she lived with her son and daughter in-law until she her treatments because stable. She then moved into her own apartment at the Pegasus Villa Senior Apartments because her family knew that regaining her independence would be a key component for her healing. In addition, she would be close to her team of doctors at UT Southwestern Cancer Center. It didn’t take Patricia long to make friends at Pegasus Villa where she could be found in the community room playing cards or bingo and participating in the various activities while listening to the oldies. At some point or another you were certain to hear her bellowing laugh. She found special friendship with Carole Hopkins, who shared Sunday worship with her at Saint Monica Catholic Church followed by Sunday breakfasts or dinners. She remained a die-hard Eagles fan in the midst of Cowboy Country and enjoyed heckling her Priest, Father Wade Bass and others in her circle who were Cowboy fans, especially her daughter in law, who worked for the Cowboys. She looked forward to texting with her youngest brother during Eagles games that were televised in Dallas.
Prior to and during the rapid and sudden decline in Patricia’s health, she was attentively cared for and kept a close eye on by her daughter in-law. In her last weeks she was visited by her older sister who was able to spend valuable and precious time with Patricia. In her final days, she was joined by her life-long dear friend Pamela Robinson-Johnson, from Philadelphia, who remained by her side until her final surrender on December 25, 2019. As the excitement of Christmas Day subsided Patricia found her peace and took the hand of her Lord as she was led from time to eternity 7:53pm.
Patsy will always be remembered as a courageous, bold, daring, gentle and caring soul.
Left to cherish her memory are: her loving son and daughter in-law Jason and Conchevia (Tonara), Grandchildren Jason (Jay Jay), Tiffani and Dominic. A sister, Sandra Jones, four brothers Richard, Albert, Michael and Stevie Daley. One brother in-law Eddie, three sister in-laws Caroline, Sheila and Towanda. Five Nieces and nephews: Steven, Le’Shaun, Ian, Christina and Michael. One Aunt, Edith Harris and a host of cousins and friends.
Lovingly submitted from the heart,
The Family
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Collins, please visit Tribute Store
Main Service
Service Information Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020 Time: 11:00 am Black and Clark Funeral Chapel Address: 2517 E. Illinois Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75216 214-376-8297
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
In Loving Memory
Patricia Collins
1950 - 2019
Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Explore Our
Site
Have A
Question?
We're here for you 24/7. Click here to contact us.