Patricia Mary Collins (nee Clifford) 98, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully in her home on July 30, 2025, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her four daughters, Sheila Collins, Kathleen Collins (Donald) Pagels, Maureen Collins (Antony) McShane and Colleen Collins (Robert) Josellis. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Shannon (John), Bridget, Meagan (Connor), Collin, Cara (Jared), Moira, Caitlin, Jordan, Jack, Patrick, Connor and great-grandchildren, Evan, Ella, Miles and Lily. She was an adored aunt to her nieces and nephews and a friend to many. Patricia is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert A. Collins, parents, Gerald and Mae Heney Clifford, sister, Colleen Barnett, many sisters and brothers in-law and friend, Rollo Kellogg.
Patricia was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin where she grew up with her parents and sister. Her father Gerald is in the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame as one of the founding fathers of the team and her mother Mae was an accomplished pianist and teacher of the deaf. Her sister Colleen was her lifelong best friend. It was in Green Bay at a Young Democrats meeting that she met the love of her life, Attorney Robert A. Collins. After a few stops in Wisconsin, they made their way to Davison, Michigan where they raised their four daughters and were active in St. John’s Catholic Church and the local community. Pat and Bob gave their daughters an idyllic childhood. They were married twenty-eight years until Bob’s untimely death in 1980 and she never stopped loving him. Patricia then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona near Sheila and Kathleen and was actively involved in the lives of their children, her parish bookstore and many good friends. She also spent part of every year in Chicago with Maureen and Colleen and their families. She was the best Grammy ever and a constant, remarkable and supportive presence in the lives of all eleven of her grandchildren.
Pat’s long life was defined by the unconditional love she gave and received. She had many interests, including her dogs, travel, politics, faith, books, sports and all things Irish, but it was her family that was her true love. Pat was kind, funny, warm, smart, and generous. She will be deeply, deeply missed by all.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Pat’s son-in-law, Don Pagels for all the care and love he gave her each and every day. At the end of her life, she was cared for by the devoted team of Yulia, Brisa and Nohemi, who treated her as if she was their own. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 1pm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 North Dayton Street, Davison, Michigan. Mass will be followed by a Family and Friends luncheon at the St. John’s Family Center. Private interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Patricia’s memory to the Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary in Scottsdale, Arizona.