Edith Helen Collins

Edith Helen Collins, 90, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026 in hospice care in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by the family she so dearly loved. Born on May 27, 1936, to the late Blythe and Eula Faye Somers Corne in Beech Grove, Indiana, Edith’s life was a beautiful testament to compassion, dedication, and unwavering love.

Edith grew up in Jamestown and Indianapolis, where she formed lifelong values rooted in family and service. A proud graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from IUPUI and later achieved her EdD in Adult Education. She began her career as a Registered Nurse before discovering her passion for teaching, serving students in IPS Schools and later shaping future nurses as an instructor at Ivy Tech.

One of Edith’s proudest professional moments came in 2016, when her Indiana University School of Nursing Class of 1959 refurbished the beloved bronze statue of Eve “Florence Nightingale – Flo” in the Ball Nurses Sunken Garden and Convalescent Park at the IU Indianapolis campus – a tribute to the profession she held so close to her heart.

On February 19, 1960, Edith married the love of her life, Donald Ray Collins. Together they built a home in Beech Grove, Indiana, where they raised their family for 24 years before relocating to Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia. They returned to Indianapolis in 1991 to be closer to family. Donald passed away on August 16, 2012, and Edith carried his memory with tenderness for the fourteen years that followed.

Family was Edith’s greatest joy. She often reminded her loved ones that they were her blessings, and she meant it with every beat of her heart. She treasured the annual fishing trip to Nestor Falls, Ontario, Canada – a tradition she kept for more than thirty years and one that brought her deep happiness and connection.

Edith was a devoted member of St. Timothy Episcopal Church until moving to an assisted living community, where she continued to share her warmth and kindness with everyone around her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Williarn Corne and her sister Sherry Busse.

Edith is survived by her son, Ted Collins (Susan); her daughter, Stacy Graves (Brent); her granddaughter, Jillian Garske (Michael); her six great-grandchildren – Elle, Madi, Marilyn, Carter, Scarlett, and Elyse – and her sister, Audrey Corne. Their lives are forever enriched by her love, her wisdom, and her gentle spirit.

Edith’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched – through her family, her students, her church, and her community. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.