Margaret Stacy Collins

Margaret Stacy Collins passed away unexpectedly on August 16, 2026, at the age of 63; she was born on May 19, 1963, in Queens, New York and was a resident of Arlington, Virginia. Stacy is predeceased by her mother, Marilyn Porter. She is survived by her children Jonathan and Megan Carolla, her siblings Pamela Jennison (Stuart Jennison), Andrew Collins (Christy Collins), Cornelius Collins III (Lorena Collins), her father Cornelius Collins Jr., and her former husband and longtime friend Robert Carolla.

Stacy graduated from the University of Virginia in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She continued her education at The Catholic University of America, receiving her Master of Social Work in 1990.

Stacy spent her professional career dedicated to public health, where she held a number of roles advocating for and advancing social services. Most notably, she held leadership positions at the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Her life’s work was her mission, deeply aligned with her values, and focused on improving the lives of others.

In her retirement, Stacy continued to pour her heart and soul into non-profits, serving as a Board Member and later the Chair of the REPRO Rising Virginia Foundation. Stacy was a champion for reproductive rights, under-resourced communities, and animal welfare. She felt deeply for those without a voice and strived to advocate on their behalf.

In her free time, she loved quality time (with her family, friends, and dogs), being out in nature, reading, taking long walks, practicing yoga, and playing the violin. Stacy also had a passion for youth development and served as an adult leader with the Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America for many years while Megan and Jonathan were growing up.

Stacy’s family and friends were the center of her life. She was a devoted mother, a loving sister, a wonderful aunt, and a dear friend to so many; moreover, she was the glue that brought them all together. She lived everyday extending kindness, compassion, and empathy to those around her. She had a selfless nature and always put the needs of others above herself. Stacy was strong, caring, and a true example of what it means to be beautiful inside and out.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Stacy’s memory on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6:30pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia (4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the following organizations:

REPRO Rising Virginia

https://reprorisingva.org/honoringstacycollins/

Animal Welfare League of Arlington-

https://www.awla.org/?form=DonateNow