Josephine Marie Collins

Josephine Marie Collins (Flynn), lovingly known to friends and family as Jo, Joie, Little Red or JoMomma peacefully passed away on August 28, 2023, at 6:45 pm at The Center at Northridge at the age of 86. Her life was a tapestry woven with love, family, and enduring memories.

Josephine, the daughter of John and Mary Flynn, was born on September 23, 1936, in the picturesque town of Silt, Colorado. She spent her formative years in Silt and graduated from Silt Union High School. She then ventured to Glenwood Springs and built a career with the Mountain States Telephone Co. before making her way to Denver, where she would set roots for her ever-growing family.

On July 15, 1961, Josephine married the love of her life, Donald Michael Collins, in a ceremony held at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs. Together, they embarked on a journey filled with love and dedication.

She was the mother of six: four sons and two daughters. Always present, she never missed a school play, sporting event, graduation, wedding, reunion, or funeral of family and friends; her presence was paramount. In 1975, she re-entered the workforce as a school lunch lady. Not long after, she began driving a school bus for the Adams 12 District. Eventually, she and twelve fellow drivers were recruited by RTD (Regional Transportation District), where she eventually retired. A passionate traveler, she frequently journeyed with her Travel Club at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her sister, Barbara Warren, was often her travel companion; they were inseparable, as she was with her brothers. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apple of her eye, always showered with love. With a perpetual smile, she was an extraordinary daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Josephine leaves behind a legacy of love and a tight-knit family through her children Kevin M. Collins, Rebecca A. Watson (Royce Watson), Patrick J. Collins (Kathy Collins), Jennifer Schartz (David Scott), Shawn Collins; her grandchildren Tiffany Swift (Kyle Swift), Zachariah Govin, Shannon Tochtrop(Chris Goddard), Elizabeth Tochtrop, Kaitylyn Collins (David Rumsey), Kassidy Pickett (Jason Pickett), Dillon Schartz, Isaiah Collins, Gavin Collins, Jack Collins, Quinn Collins; her great-grandchildren Hailey, Abigail, and Delilah Swift, Raiya Goddard, Aria Tochtrop, Flynn Goddard, Easton Collins, Kendall Rumsey; and through her siblings Jack Flynn, Barbara Flynn, and Art Flynn (Suzy).

Josephine was preceded in death by her beloved ex-husband and father of her six children, Donald Michael Collins, and her son, Timothy Joseph Collins, who passed away on February 11, 2022. She also joins her parents, John Flynn and Mary (McCabe) Flynn, her brother Daniel Flynn, sister Shirley Koch, brother Paul Flynn, and brother Larry Flynn in eternal peace.

A celebration of Josephine's life will be held with the following services:

Funeral Services at 10:00 am at Olinger Highland Heritage Hall, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80241 with Committal (Graveside) Service at 11:00 am.

Following the service, all are welcome to gather in remembrance at the American Legion Post 22, 11081 Irma Drive, Northglenn, CO 80233.

Josephine's legacy lives on in the lessons she taught, the love she gave, and the memories she left. As we bid farewell to a woman of unwavering strength, love, and compassion, let us take comfort in the fact that her spirit is now reunited with loved ones lost before her. Rest in peace, Jo.