Claire Elizabeth Collins

She was born in Dorchester, MA in 1925. She lived there with her sister and loving parents, Tom and Lillian (Kelligrew) Scott in the three family home owned by her grandfather, John J. Kelligrew, who emigrated from Ireland to the US in 1878. She spoke fondly of her childhood recalling rollerskating, tap dance lessons in costumes hand-sewn by her mother and spending time with family.

She was a graduate of Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester. She worked in Boston as a secretary for the U.S. Government prior to her marriage in 1953 to James Daniel "Dan" Collins. When her husband retired to the Cape in 1978 she enjoyed working at the USCG dispensary in Bourne. Mrs. Collins was very proud to have received an award for "Outstanding Clerk of The Year" in 1986. She was a loving wife and mother which, in her words: "Made my life happy and complete." She always supported the dreams and aspirations of her children as well as encouraged in them a great love of poetry and literature. Her family fondly remembers superb holiday apple pies and Sunday dinners made with love.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992 and her sister, Marie Louise (Scott) Assetta in 2010. Mrs. Collins is survived by her three daughters, Joyce E. Collins of Wareham, Janice M. Collins of East Dennis, Cheryl E. Collins, and daughter-in-law Lisa Collins, both of Yarmouth Port; her son, Scott Collins of East Dennis; and by nieces, nephews and extended family on and off the Cape.

Visiting hours will be at Doane, Beal & Ames in South Dennis Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. and a funeral mass will be held Friday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of The Cape in Brewster.