Mary was born on May 2, 1925 in her family home in Mahanoy City. She was the 4th of 8 children of Peter and Letitia Collins. She loved growing up in a large family and often talked about her brother’s escapades. She graduated from Mahanoy City High School in 1942 and went on to become a cadet nursing student at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The US Cadet Nursing Corp was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943 and these cadet nursing students were credited with helping to prevent the collapse of civilian nursing in the US during WWII. Post graduation, as the war ended, Mary was assigned to work with the Rosebud Sioux tribe on their reservation in South Dakota.
She went on to work at Abington Hospital and then Lower Bucks Hospital (LBH). Her career began as a private duty nurse and based on her reputation and experience with the sickest patients, she was asked to develop a plan and open the first Critical Care Unit at LBH. Mary went on to further her education and graduated with a BS in the late 1960’s. She ended her nursing career as a diabetic educator and in 1990, worked with a team to establish the 1st Nationally Accredited Diabetes Outpatient Education Program at LBH.
Mary married her lifelong partner and sweetheart, Bill (Chuck) in 1945. Together, they raised 5 children. They believe in family first. The independence and opportunities that their children enjoy are based on the legacy of Bill and Mary Klein.
Mary enjoyed traveling to Italy, Germany, Ireland, Bermuda and the Bahamas. She enjoyed time with family and became an avid reader.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill, her parents Peter and Letitia and her 7 siblings: John, James, Margaret, Letitia, Thomas, Joseph and Helen.
She is survived by her 5 children: Margie (Roger), Susie (Ron/deceased), Patty (Joe), Betty (Tom), and Bill (Valerie). She was always proud to report that she had 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren and 9 of them chose nursing as a profession.
Mary also considered her dog, Gunther to be a member of the family. He was her constant companion, always by her side.
A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 9:45 AM at Queen of the Universe, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, Pennsylvania 19056, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM. A burial will occur at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, 1215 Super Highway, Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047.
