Mary Louise Collins

Mary Louise (Ballengee) Collins passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025. The daughter of the late Josephine (Pomeroy) and Paul Ballengee. Mary was born in Southern California and spent her early childhood with her parents and brother, Bob, in Los Angeles, California before relocating cross-country to New Rochelle, New York.

After high school, she earned a Bachelor's Degree at New Rochelle College and met her husband, Ed Collins, soon after graduating. Mary and Ed lived briefly in New Jersey before settling in Norwood, MA, where they raised their three children and where Mary was an active member of the Norwood community for more than fifty years.

Mary was a highly intelligent person, a woman of devout Catholic faith, and in many ways ahead of her time. She combined these attributes by obtaining a Master's Degree in Religious Studies while working for over twenty years as the Director of Religious Education at St. Denis's Parish in Westwood. After retiring, she devoted herself to volunteer work at the local food pantry and as an English language tutor.

Mary was a voracious reader of novels, especially Westerns. She loved cats (even though she was allergic), genealogy, the Red Sox, and her cherished annual family reunion trips to Cape Cod. She was an accomplished pianist, who was very patient when her grandchildren fumbled through endless rounds of "Chopsticks" on her piano.

Above all, Mary was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. Her home was a welcoming place for friends who needed a place to stay and family who traveled from out of state for extended visits. She always had cheese and crackers at the ready and a stocking for every family member during the Christmas season.

Mary was a quiet matriarch who possessed intelligence, strength and resilience. She listened without judgment and was quick to offer an understanding smile. The respect and compassion that she showed all she met will live on through her family and friends.

Mary is survived by her children: Robert and Karen (Murphy) Collins of Wareham and Ormond Beach, FL; Catherine "Cathy" and Robert Martin of Mansfield, MA; Mary Elizabeth "Beth" and Vytenis Bichnevicius of Downingtown, PA; her grandchildren: Kasey Collins and her partner, Tim Giumarra of Cherry Plain, NY; Jody Collins and her husband Jared Gery of Las Vegas, NV; Brian Collins of San Diego, CA; Bridget (Martin) Lazzara and her husband Jacob of Waltham, MA; Robert Martin of Mansfield, MA; John Bichnevicius and his wife Lina of Exton, PA; and Mike Bichnevicius of Cambridge, MA; and four great-grandchildren: Francis, Robert, Lucille, and Etori.

Mary's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff at The Village at Willow Crossings in Mansfield, MA, and a special thank you to Old Colony Hospice for their kind and professional care & support.

Visitation will be held in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St. (Rt.1A) NORWOOD on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10AM—12PM. Service in the Funeral Home at 11:30AM. Interment to follow at Highland Cemetery, Norwood.