Elaine F. Collins

Elaine F. Collins, 87, of Carbondale, died suddenly on Sunday April 9, 2023.  She was the widow of William T. Collins, who died in 1960.

Born in Carbondale, daughter of the late Albert and Frances Mancuso Pettinato, she was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.  She was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Class of 1954.  After graduation, she moved to Joliet, Illinois for a short time and worked as an operator for Illinois Bell.  She was married in 1957 to William T. Collins.  William died in 1960 and Elaine raised three children, three grandchildren, and a great grandson.  A hard worker, she was employed by Hendricks Manufacturing, Carbondale prior to her marriage, and later at RCA/Thompson Consumer Electronics, Dunmore.  She worked until she was 80 years old, retiring from Rite-Aid.  Elaine was also an avid bowler.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Lehigh Valley Health Network for the excellent care provided to Elaine.

Surviving are two daughters: Catherine Collins and Elaine Collins; granddaughters: Lori A. Gazella; Allyson Collins and husband Nathaniel Guinn; and Leiann M. Gazella; grandsons: Francis X. Gazella, Jr. and Jonathan Collins; great grandchildren: Collin M. Gazella, Grace Guinn and Vera Guinn; sisters Rosemarie Pettinato Connor and Joann Pettinato Zazzera, and husband Francis; sister-in-law Alice Pettinato: a brother-in-law, James Collins and wife Lena; sister-in-law Carol Collins; daughter-in-law: Jacquelyn Collins-O’Hearn and husband Michael O’Hearn; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren, each holding loving memories to cherish.  

She was also preceded in death by a son: Stephen P. Collins; and a brother: Charles A. Pettinato; and a sister-in-law Ann Collins McHale; and brothers-in-laws William J. Connor, John Collins and Timothy Collins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 15th at 9:30 am in St. Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Interment will follow in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband and son.  Arrangements by the Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Avenue, Carbondale.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale, PA 18407.

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