Suzanne M Collins

It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I share the passing of my beloved mother, Suzanne Collins, who left us on Monday, April 7, 2025. Though she was 92 and had faced significant health challenges over the years, her passing was sudden and unexpected. We find comfort knowing that she was still living independently, her mind was sharp, she was surrounded by the love of family and friends, and she passed quickly, and we believe peacefully, in her home that she loved.

Mom was born on October 19, 1932, in Nice, France, to Louis Beauffet of Saint-Étienne, France, and Christine Cravea of Murialdo, Italy. She was the middle of three daughters and also considered her niece, Simone (Cookie) Boyer, to be like a younger sister. At her 18th birthday party, she met my father, Ed Neal Collins, an American Navy sailor from rural Kentucky. Despite the language barrier, they managed to communicate—and fall in love. My brother Jim was born when she was just 19, and I followed two years later.

Life as a Navy family took us to many places, including several U.S. cities, Naples, Italy, and London, England. My father made every effort to get stationed in Nice when possible. Their marriage lasted 18 and a half years until, tragically, my father passed away from a brain aneurysm at age 42, while serving in Vietnam.

Mom had a remarkable eye for design, which led to a lifelong career as an interior decorator. Her unique ability to combine colors and styles created warm, beautiful spaces that reflected her clients’ personalities. For years, she also helped me stage homes in my real estate business, and made sure our Christmas trees were always stunningly decorated. Her own home reflected her personality perfectly—elegant and cozy, filled with art and, of course, monkeys (she loved monkeys!). Her eye for design extended to her personal style as well. She exuded class and elegance—her nails were always perfectly polished, and she was always impeccably dressed, with just the right jewelry and purse to complete the look. That is, of course, unless she was at home, wrapped in her cozy robe.

She had a true passion for cooking and entertaining. As she often said, “Americans eat to live, but the French live to eat”—and she lived that motto joyfully. Her other great joys were reading (she always had a book on hand or would flip through People magazine during sleepovers at our house) and challenging herself with Sudoku, which helped keep her mind sharp—and occasionally sharp-tongued, as she never hesitated to speak her mind.

But above all, Mom’s greatest joy was her family. She adored her five grandchildren—Michael (Anna), Christy (Shane), Eric, Rebecca/Becky (Brian), and Michelle (Daniel)—and maintained close connections with them throughout the years. She was deeply blessed to witness the arrival of seven great-grandchildren: Ella, Rosie, Alex, Tom, Wesley, Cameron, and Elijah. Babies brought her endless delight—she loved holding them, feeding them, and simply being near them.

We were fortunate to live close by and spend time with her often. For the past nine years, our shared time at the lake house—just next door to Don’s family—gave us countless memories: morning coffee, dinners, games, and time by the pool together. These are moments we will forever cherish.

It feels surreal that she’s no longer with us. The waves of sorrow are eased a bit by the laughter we find in the many joyful memories we shared. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her presence in our lives was a gift, and her memory will always be in our hearts.

Suzanne is survived by her son, James L. Collins (Anne), and me, Monique H. Craft (Don), as well as her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

We invite you to join us in celebrating her life on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Fairlington Villages Community Center, 3001 South Abingdon Street, Arlington, Virginia 22206. Please bring your stories and memories to share.

Funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery are still being scheduled, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.