Mary Virginia Collins, 87, of Adrian, died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, June 9, 2025. She was born June 2, 1938, in Jackson, the daughter of the late Roscoe and Wilhelmina (Burg) Lonsway.
Mary enjoyed reading and gardening, and in her earlier years clogging, line dancing, and aerobics. Mary graduated from Adrian Catholic Central in 1956. Many years later, she attended Adrian College, and ultimately graduated from Siena Heights University. While there, she served on the Michigan Foster Care Review Board. Over the years, she enjoyed volunteering at several Adrian churches. Especially satisfying was tutoring teen boys in reading and math at the Adrian Training School, and adults with learning disabilities at Adrian Middle School evening classes.
She worked over 20 years for Adrian Dominican Sisters where she and the Sisters developed decades-long friendships. After retirement Mary volunteered there until health problems intervened.
Attending Al-Anon for some years, she thanks those 25 who befriended her there. In later years, Mary was fortunate to attend various denominations in her life quest for God’s love. Mary thanks those who walked the walk beside her on her journey to the afterlife; you know who you are, and she is forever in your debt and will pray for you in return.
Surviving are her eight children, Michelle (Mark) Grassman of WI, Timothy (Carmen) Collins of TX, Jeanine (Steve) Peterman of MI, Theodore (Tammi) Collins of MI, Amy Collins-Kilar of IL, Betsy (John) Doyle of Adrian, David (Brandi) Collins of OH, and Deanna (Ben) Swincicki of VA; grandchildren, Anna, Emma, Jenny, Tracy, Mike, Josh, Cassie, Kayla, Lauren, Sara, Jeffrey, Andy, Dustin, Breanna, Emily, Nia, Elin, Ethan and Drew; great-grandchildren, Layne, Cade, Claire, Alaina, Nick, Ruby, Iris, Cora, Calvin, Alivia, Colson, Harlynn, Dawson, Collins, Sophie, Bailey, Jacob , Josh, Courtney and Peyton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alpheus and Mary (Schiffer) Lonsway, John Louis and Mary Ann (Hare) Burg; brother, Robert Lonsway; a daughter, Pamela who died in infancy; and a grandson, Seth Peterman.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday June 21, 2025, at 10:30am, followed by Rite of Committal at St. Joseph Cemetery in Adrian. Father Robert Pienta will serve as Celebrant. After, there will be a catered event at Father Williams Hall at St. Joseph Church.
Memorial contributions in honor of Mary are suggested to benefit Holy Family Parish or 1Mosaic Church in Adrian. Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.