Patricia (Patsy) Annette Collins of Spanaway, WA passed away on Nov 23, 2022. Patsy was born in Kalispell, Montana to parents Garrett (Van) and Peggy Elaine Vanden Bos on October 20, 1943. Patsy was raised in Montana and Washington where she spent most of her childhood in Port Orchard. She graduated from South Kitsap High School and continued to CWU where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Patsy married Bob Collins in 1965 and moved to teach in Metaline Falls, then moved to Morton, WA where they lived for just over 40 years and raised their family. Patsy enjoyed teaching at Mossyrock Elementary for nearly 25 years. She made many lifelong friends at the school and in Morton’s community. Patsy was also very involved in the church and enjoyed teaching Sunday school. As teachers, she and her husband treasured their summer breaks by road tripping, car showing, camping, boating, and vacationing at Crescent Bar. During retirement they did more traveling to their favorite places like Mexico, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Patsy and Bob moved to Spanaway in 2007 to be closer to their kids and grandkids. Patsy’s life was centered around her husband Bob and her 2 kids Rob and Lana. She was especially proud of her 3 grandchildren, Kyndal, Alex, and Harmony and continuously bragged about them.
A woman of many talents, starting with Patsy’s green thumb, she had a love for gardening and growing all sorts of flowers. She also mastered a variety of arts and crafts, such as knitting, card making, and quilting. Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Patsy truly enjoyed sewing alongside her friends as a member of a local quilter’s guild. She was very humble about her quilting, even though she had earned many ribbons in fair contests and had specially made over 60+ unique quilts for her family and friends.
Patsy is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Collins, son Rob Collins (Kathleen) of Sumner, WA, daughter Lana Phillips (Jim) of Covington, WA. and grandchildren, Kyndal Phillips, Alex Phillips, and Harmony Collins, as well as her brother, Jerry Vanden Bos (Paula) of Ephrata, WA. She is predeceased by her parents and the recent passing of her youngest brother Roger Vanden Bos (Sue) of Port Orchard, WA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in late January in Graham, WA, see details at www.mountainviewtacoma.com/obituaries/Patricia-Collins-33/#!/Obituary. Inurnment at Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, WA. A tribute donation may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.
