SUNAPEE, NH— Ann Elizabeth Collins, 81, of West Court Road, passed away at home on April 13, 2025 surrounded by her family.
Ann was born in Bridgeport, CT on December 12, 1943 the daughter and only child of Maurice E. and Dorothy I. (Chambers) Collins.
Ann moved to Sunapee at the age of four and graduated from Sunapee High School. She attended the University of NH and graduated from the Concord Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse for 44 years, holding positions at the New London Hospital, the Newport Hospital, and the Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association (where she retired after many years of service). Her down to earth approach and dedication to her patients was appreciated by those she cared for, as well as her colleagues.
Ann was active throughout her life, and she enjoyed sports. An accomplished archer, Ann was the Archery Girls NH Champion for five years in the late 1950’s and the New England Champion for four years. At the age of twelve she entered a national archery competition in Two Rivers Wisconsin, and placed third. As a teenager she could often be found on Lake Sunapee, water skiing or boating. In grades 7-12 she played varsity basketball, and served as the varsity coach for a season after she graduated.
Ann loved to travel, especially to Ireland and throughout the United Kingdom. She visited Ireland many times, and felt a deep love for the culture and people. Her fear of heights kept her from kissing the Blarney Stone, but she had the gift of gab nonetheless. She was an avid gardener, and was gifted at flower arranging and design. Ann was active in the Newport Garden Club for many years, and she participated in state and regional flower shows, often winning awards. Ann also loved to bake, and enjoyed bringing treats to the folks at the town library, transfer station, bank, and mill. She loved animals of all kinds and regularly donated to the Upper Valley Humane Society. Ann was very creative, and enjoyed handcrafts including crochet, knitting and crewel. She had a love for reading mystery novels and historical fiction, and she enjoyed crossword puzzles and trivia (especially Jeopardy). She was civic minded, and very proud of having a perfect voting record, not missing an election since casting her first vote at age 18.
Ann’s family and friends can attest to her having a great sense of humor, sharp wit, strong work ethic, and deep love for those she cared for. She was a trusted confidant to many, she was somebody you could rely on.
Ann is survived by two daughters, Kimberly (Morrow) Russell of Sunapee, NH and Michelle Morrow of Enfield, NH; a beloved grandson, Benjamin Collins Russell of Sunapee, NH; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends near and far.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in Eastman Cemetery, North Road, Sunapee, NH followed by a reception at the Lake Sunapee United Methodist Church, 9 Lower Main Street, Sunapee, NH.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748 or to Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association Hospice, P.O. Box 2209, New London, NH 03257.
To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.
