Iris Collins

IRIS KATHYRN PAGE COLLINS - Malone, NY - Iris Kathyrn Page Collins, 91, a resident at the Farrar Home in Malone, N.Y., passed away peacefully, late in the evening on January 18, 2012, with her great niece, Janet Dana, at her bedside. Prior to her stay at the Farrar Home, Iris made her home in Cumberland Head for nearly 50 years. She was born on May 25, 1920 at the family farm on Alburg Road in Moira, NY, the eighth child of Burt and Bernice (Larkin) Page. She attended a one room schoolhouse in Alburg and graduated from Moira High School in 1938. Iris graduated from Potsdam State College in 1942 and began a long career in education as an elementary school teacher. While teaching in Alexandria Bay, she met Albert (Red) Collins. They married on August 16, 1947 and returned to the Moira area. Their first child, Charles William, was born in Moira on August 17, 1948. The family of three relocated to Plattsburgh and purchased a home in Cumberland Head. Iris continued to teach, primarily 5th grade, and the family welcomed daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Page, on December 27, 1958. Iris retired from teaching in 1980 but remained active in the NYSRTA and the NYSUT retired teachers' organization of Clinton County. After her move to the Malone area, she became involved in the Town of Moira Historical Association. While at the Farrar Home, Iris participated in many activities and especially enjoyed playing dominoes. Her life-long love of reading was shared with countless students throughout the years and was a constant in a life marred with tragedy. Her son, Charles, died in a car accident at age 19, while home on leave from the service. Her daughter, Peggy, succumbed to breast cancer at age 28. Iris was stalwart and continued her life in a positive manner, an example of living with peace and dignity in the face of insurmountable loss. Iris is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces/great nephews, and great-great- nieces and nephews. Of special note, she leaves her great niece, Janet Dana of Moira, who has been like a daughter to Iris. A special nephew, James Brown of Malone, was also a constant source of companionship. Iris was predeceased by her parents, brothers: Vernon Henry, Charles Wesley, Carroll Morris and Homer Burton; sisters: Lois O'Neil, Eleanor Edith Tryon, and Sadie Muriel Brown; husband, Albert Collins; son, Charles William; daughter, Margaret Page; and, a special niece, Jean Elinor Tryon Noreault, who was raised like a sister to Iris. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Town of Moira Historical Association, P.O. Box 75, Moira, N.Y. 12957. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518)-561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.