Helen LaVerne (Collins) Fry

LaVerne was born June 4, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri, to James Thomas Edward and Ida Kathryn (Simmons) Collins. She was the first of eight children. Throughout her life, she enjoyed many different jobs, her first as a waitress at the Pickwick Hotel’s restaurant in downtown Kansas City. She was also employed at The Jones Store, Peterson Manufacturing Company and Rival Manufacturing Company. She was very successfully self-employed for many years as a representative of the House of Decorative Accessories, receiving numerous awards for her interior design work in helping people make their homes more beautiful. She liked to be kept busy and always enjoyed working.

She was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Independence Pioneers Chapter, having served as the Corresponding Secretary and volunteering in many capacities to further the mission of the society. LaVerne was very kindhearted and was blessed with many artistic talents. She was good with people and never met a stranger. Everyone loved being around her and enjoying her sense of humor.

LaVerne met her husband, Frederick William Fry, on a blind date when they were both 17, marrying the next year, on June 17, 1955. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2025. They both loved the State of Hawaii, making 31 trips from their home in Independence, Missouri, and celebrating many anniversaries there. During one trip, they renewed their wedding vows. When asked why they visited so many times, they would softly answer, “Because God lives there.”

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, sister Edna Earline Collins, sister Dorothy Leora Collins (Bowers), brother James Paul Collins, and brother born silent, Joseph Stephen Collins.

She is survived by her husband, Fred, sisters Lois Sandra Walker (Terrence Greenwood) and Linda Kathryn Dimon (Freddie Thompkins), and brother John Edward Collins (Lila), and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her bonus granddaughter, Alissa Spotts Brendle, loving every minute of their time together.

Visitation will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3736 S Lee's Summit Rd, Independence, Missouri 64055, on March 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. A Committal Service will take place at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Missouri 64138. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial gifts to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.