Kathleen Collins, inspired others despite disease

Kathleen "Kath" P. Collins, a dedicated nurse at Misericordia, Mercy Fitzgerald and St. Agnes hospitals and a woman who inspired others with her joy of living in the face of a deadly disease, died of cancer June 13. She was 57 and lived in Havertown.

"Kathleen gratefully enjoyed her life, laughed often, had the greatest stories, gave of her heart, her spirit and her time to all who encountered her," her family wrote in an obituary.

In her final days, she said, "I figured it all out. It's about friendship. And I didn't realize how many friends I had. Family is where you get love. And I have a big family."

Kathleen, formerly of Yeadon and Southwest Philadelphia, completed her bachelor's degree in nursing in 2007 at Gwynedd-Mercy College. She worked in the emergency room at Misericordia, the hospice department at Mercy Fitzgerald and life care at St. Agnes.

"Kathleen connected deeply with all, lived with non-judgment and an open heart," her family wrote. "She persevered in the face of challenge and when confronted with terminal cancer, Kathleen gracefully accepted each loss along the way, while never failing to live each day fully and with gratitude.

"Kathleen's death left all those who witnessed any part of her process with the same hope, laughter and deep connection that she inspired throughout her life."

She was married to the late Richard C. Collins. She is survived by a son, Chris; a daughter, Laura Collins; her mother, K. Patricia Connor; two sisters, Maureen M. Faulkner and Patricia M. Connor; and a brother, Thomas J. Connor Jr.

Services: Memorial Service 3 p.m. Saturday at the Logan Funeral Home, 57 S. Eagle Road, Havertown. Friends may call at 2 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society (www.cancer. org, 800-277-2345) or Jefferson Hospice Home Care Network (www.thehomecarenetwork.org, 610-254-1410).