Janet Ellen Collins

Born on January 10, 1942, in Winnetka, Illinois, Jan was the daughter of Elizabeth “Beth” Langfitt and Albert “Al” Hinkle. She carried forward the values she learned from her parents — resilience, quiet strength, and generosity — throughout her life.

Jan moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1971, where she raised her children and formed deep and lasting friendships over the next four decades. In Iowa, she was known for her love of gardening — especially her geraniums. She knew her way around a trowel and took pride in tending her plants, filling her yard with color and care.

During her years in Iowa, Jan loved being outdoors and took pride in her bikes over the years. She and her son spent many hours riding together along the bike trails in Cedar Rapids, creating memories side by side. She rode her beloved blue bike, and those rides remain treasured moments. One thing Jan often said about her son was, “David has such an infectious laugh,” which she shared with pride.

Jan’s home was rarely without the companionship of a dog. As a child she had dachshunds, and when her children were young, she had a miniature dachshund named Heidi. Over the years, the family shared life with Sammy the black lab, Ebony the standard poodle, and Buffy the Cairn terrier. After moving to Florida, Gracie, a Maltese, became her constant companion.

Gracie was by Jan’s side in her final days — resting on her bed in the hospital and later at the hospice center, bringing comfort simply by being there. As Jan grew more feeble, her daughter Le lovingly took over Gracie’s primary care. Gracie now lives on with Le, carrying forward that bond.

In 2008, Jan moved to Palm Harbor, Florida, to be closer to her son and her young grandchildren. At the time, Madeleine had been born in 2004 and Matthew in 2006, and Jan cherished being just fifteen minutes away during their early years. She was able to spend meaningful time with them, watching them grow and sharing in everyday moments that meant so much to her.

Several years later, her daughter Le came to visit. During that time, Jan suffered a fall and broke both wrists. Le stayed to help care for her — and never left. From that point forward, they shared a home and formed a deep and special bond over the next 14 years, supporting one another through life’s challenges. Jan took great pride in Le’s career as a nurse and was especially proud to see her grow and succeed in that calling.

In 2015, her son relocated to Tennessee for work. In October 2025, he returned to St. Petersburg to once again be closer to family — a blessing that brought comfort in Jan’s final months.

Jan was also known for her remarkable resilience and fighting spirit. She overcame cancer and later faced paralysis that required complex neck surgery followed by nearly a year of rehabilitation. She entered rehab in a wheelchair, unable to feed herself. Through determination, faith, and relentless effort, she ultimately walked out of the facility on her own — something the staff said they had never witnessed before. It felt like a miracle to her family that she was able to return home. Even during rehabilitation, Jan embraced physical therapy with enthusiasm. She loved sharing the exercises she was working on and would proudly tell stories about her nurses and therapists, always eager to learn their backgrounds and connect with them personally.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Jan loved birds and delighted in her birdfeeders. In recent years, she developed a passion for watching golf, a love rooted in memories of learning about the game from her father. She and her son also looked forward to watching the Olympic Games every four years, especially the beauty and artistry of figure skating during the Winter Olympics. Even in her later years, she touched many lives through her kindness, taking time to truly listen and form meaningful connections with those who cared for her.

Jan was a devoted mother and grandmother whose life was centered on her family. In her final days, surrounded by prayer and the love of her family, she accepted the Lord, was baptized, and found peace in her faith. She passed gently and quietly, her soul freed and at rest.

She is survived by her children, David Michael Collins (Juliet) and Le (Lynn Elizabeth) Collins; and her beloved grandchildren, Madeleine Collins and Matthew Collins. She is also survived by her cousin, Sue (Bill) Kenney and their children, Jim (Heidi) Kenney, Carol (deceased) and Bob Fitzgerald, and Anne Kenney. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 21st at 10 am at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd N.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33704, with a reception to follow at David and Juliet’s home.

Her love for family, her faithful dogs, and life’s simple joys will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.