Dear Michael and family,
In the midst of all the sorrow and loss, how wonderful it is to know that LOVE has the power to comfort, to restore, and to heal.
May you feel lots of love around you now and in the days to come.

Peace and God bless all of you.

Dear Mike,

You shared the big things, the little things, and so much in between.
What a gift Carolyn was in your life.

How sad Don and I are for your loss-
50+ years is a lifetime. Although there were tough times during her illness there were many more times doing "fun stuff". What a wonderful life you shared. I have great memories of "Collins" gatherings and will treasure those always.
In the days ahead you will continue to be in our thoughts & prayers and we send you our deepest sympathy and love.

Sonia Vandama, Linda Rendely, Abigail Meeks, Vickie Winterton, Jenny Hammerly, John Schwartz & Trish Shafer all send their condolences to you & your family.

Maggie & Don

Dear Mike, 

Our view must stop where earth meets sky.
 We cannot see our loved ones,
 and yet we know they are
 where life and love continue...
 far beyond what we can see.

Thinking of you during this sad time...

I keep remembering Carolyn at the house at Lake Anna where her energy and
enthusiasm made the place come to life. She seemed in her element - these and many other good times. Though she will be missed by many, she is in a better place.

Love, Kathy & Franco

                      February 10, 2016
Dear Michael,
You and Carolyn have been in my thoughts constantly these past days. I've been remembering all the wonderful times over the years and my heart breaks for your loss.
Carolyn was such a positive, joyful and incredibly brave woman, whom I am so grateful to have known. And you, Michael have been a wonderfully loving husband to Carolyn. I cannot imagine your and your family's grief.
With love and hugs, Sally.

Dear Michael and family,
You can always tell where a beautiful soul has been by the tears and smiles left behind.
Thinking of you as you mourn the loss of someone so special. Hoping with time, a gentle peace will return to your life.

How we will miss sweet, sassy Carolyn! For more than 40 years she has been a part of our lives-- at our wedding and those of our children, sharing all our special memories. We will miss her great laugh, that twinkle in her eye, and watching her delight in her family.
Please know we will hold her - and you - in our hearts, always.
With much love, Dan & Jeanne

Michael,

Wishing you comfort in the knowledge that no one so loved can ever be lost...
And that you, too, are loved and cared for, now and always.

I was truly blessed to see all the love at Carolyn's funeral. The testimonials were such a blessing, and your words were so moving. I know she is missed deeply. Praying God gives you a gentle grief. Our thoughts are with you.

Dearest Michael 
   
   I am celebrating the beautiful Beingness that is Carolyn that now continues on another plane of existence.    

   I am celebrating the bond of marriage that brought you both such loving, caring, mutual support. 

   I am celebrating the freedom Carolyn is now experiencing, from being a body that experiences physical pain. 

   And I am celebrating You, Michael, for all the care and joy you brought to your dear Carolyn, helping her to make the most of the limits and challenges that became ever more prominent with the passing of time.

   May you weep and grieve deeply, as your love deserves. 

   May grandchildren and friends bring smiles and laughter, the relief you deserve. 

   May the knowledge that Carolyn is surrounded by welcoming spirits and loving arms that are known and familiar soothe your heart. 

   May you find the Inner Peace that comes from accepting what is  beyond one's control. 

    I'll be with you in prayer and spirit Michael at the funeral service, as well as before and after. 

   I'm a phone call away when the time feels right to give me a call. 

   If I can travel that far, if my hip issues improve enough, I'd love to come visit. 

         Love  Peace  Ann

Dear Michael, wishing you peace in your time of sorrow.

  Our loved ones never truly leave us...
  they live on in the kindness they showed,
  the comfort they shared, and the love
they brought into our lives.

Patti and I are so sorry for your loss. Please pass on our sympathies to your children and grandchildren.

Dear Mr. Collins, your wife will always be with you...in your heart, in your memories, in all the loving ways she touched your life each day.
     I am sorry for your loss. You have been in my thoughts.

Dear Mike,
      May it comfort you to know how many caring thoughts are with you at this sad time. With deepest sympathy, Holly.

Dear Michael, Laura, Keith and family, we were so grateful to be with you at Carolyn's service and hear the beautiful remembrances of her. Carolyn's fun-loving, courageous spirit will always be with us and the memories of our adventures and friendship will bring smiles to our faces. Much love, Kathy & Dick

Dear Michael,
    With deepest sympathy, may wonderful memories live in your heart always.
    It must have been so hard for you and your family to say goodbye to Carolyn. Fortunately you have each other for loving support and consolation; my thoughts are with you.
    I will remember Carolyn with fondness, and the many enjoyable moments we shared at the Friends of Bacchus events and other occasions.
    With heartfelt sympathy and a warm embrace, Maria.

Dear Michael,
    Whatever soothes your soul and comforts your heart... whatever helps and heals you... that's what you're wished today, tomorrow, and in the days ahead.
    Thinking of you and remembering your angel Carolyn with deepest sympathy to you and your family, warmly, Gwenda.

Michael,

Given our early days of meeting you on the job and introducing you to fine wine as well as participating in what you called "Unwinding Day", I concluded that Carolyn must be an understanding, self-confident, supportive wife.Then, after getting to know her first hand, I found a fun-loving, caring person, interested in hobbies and willing to experience new places. She was no longer just your wife, but a good friend of mine and other women colleagues. One more admirable feature was her innate intelligence. She could beat us at any game! Eventually, she too, became one of we World Bank employees.

I cannot begin to imagine what Carolyn must have gone through so many decades under the threat and increasing discomfort of serious illness. She was certainly fortunate to have a caring family, attentive to her needs. But she, herself, had to have been blessed with a very strong, healthy spirit, first, to have dealt with the thought of the situation and then to have endured all the physical suffering. She certainly deserved those those wonderful decade party celebrations she had. Carolyn's strong spirit for living makes her life very much worth celebrating.

I'm making a point of remembering Carolyn as her very vibrant self.

Dear Michael. Such sad news, but what great memories we have of this courageous lady, determined to live a full life in spite of serious health issues. And what good fun she was, I well remember, and miss, those food and wine lunches.

Kind regards and sincere thoughts to you and the family.

Mike,
I am very saddened by the news of your loss.
I can never forget the kindness that you and Carolyn showed me. I will always cherish the memories that I have from both of you. May god bless her soul and give you the strength to move on.
We will be praying for you and your family.
Matt Bakhshaee

LOVE IS A JOURNEY. Times change, life goes on, years go by. And somehow, through it all, I'm still me and you're still you. And life together is still so, so good. And a simple thing called love makes it all possible.

The theme of our journey is summed up in this short poem:
              If it hurts too much to look back,
              but you're too scared to look ahead,
              just look beside you and I'll be there.

       Carolyn, when I look back on our years together I can't think of any better way to spend my life. For everything you are, for everything we share -- I love you.
         Michael

The photo gallery was a glimpse into the beautiful life that Carolyn and Mike shared.  Their life together was filled with family and friends together with travel, food and wine.  Carolyn loved people and she was loved in return.  Though her body was worn out, her spirit shown through. Rest in peace dear sister.  With love from Robin and family

Michael, when you and Carolyn opened up your home and made us feel welcome to the Virginia Heritage Community, we knew you were both very special people.  When you moved to The Crossings, you left a huge gap in the Community.  I am thankful that our paths crossed.  You and Carolyn  epitomized the phrase "Good Neighbors".

Mike, 
We remember the kindness and friendship Carolyn and you shared with us at The Crossings. We send our sympathy and pray that the blessings of family will comfort you.
Sincerely, Virginia DuVal, Becky Shelton

OBITUARY

Carolyn Louise Collins

July 14, 1943 – February 7, 2016

Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service

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