Leslie A. Collins

Leslie was born September 23, 1949, in Indianapolis to Eldon Lloyd and Gene Scheidenhelm Alig, the middle of three sisters.

A writer by trade, Leslie spent her career as managing editor for Gannett Publishing for many years. Her work tutoring and mentoring impoverished children at Neighborhood Fellowship, one of her passions, resulted in her book The Neighborhood, detailing the lives and triumphs of children living in poverty in an Indianapolis neighborhood.

In addition to writing, Leslie was heavily involved in her church, Zionsville Fellowship. For years, she served as a leader in Habits of the Heart, a ministry for women with young families. An active missionary, she traveled to Japan to share the gospel with people there. She was also part of the missions team at Zionsville Fellowship.

Leslie also loved her gardens, her family, The Players, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and the Indianapolis 500. She met her beloved husband, Robert K. Collins, while they worked together as photographers at the famed race.

Leslie was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband of 21 years, Robert K. Collins; sisters Cynthia Wacker and Marjory (Carl) Bates; daughter Courtney (Chad) Corcoran, sons Nathan (Erica) and Eric Jones; stepdaughter Kelly Collins-Curry (Scott), stepsons Josh, Kyle (Susan), and Andrew Collins; grandchildren Anna, Jacob, and Ryan Nguyen, and Ethan, Lennon, and Reagan Jones; step-grandchildren Madison and Jordan Potter; and Tyler, Kenan, Alyssia, and Kenzie Collins; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Leslie’s life will take place Friday, September 19, from noon-3:00 pm at Zionsville Fellowship Church. A brief service will follow at 3:00 pm before burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Neighborhood Fellowship, 3102 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46201.