Jean C. Collins

NISKAYUNA – Jean C. Collins, 78, died on Monday, December 29, 2008 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Jean was born on January 24, 1930 in Trenton, NJ and was the daughter of the late Raymond L. and Ruth Phillips Cox.
Jean graduated from Douglass College in New Brunswick, NJ and worked in pharmaceutical research including the Sterling – Winthrop Research Institute in Rensselaer, NY. Jean then taught science at Coxsackie – Athens Central School. Receiving a Masters in Education, Jean, while her children were pre-school, taught part time at Schalmont Central School, Schenectady City Schools and Niskayuna Central School. Later she taught at Shenendehowa retiring in 1991.
Family memories of Jean include camping on the islands in Lake George, skiing at Maple Ridge, and as the children grew, at Corinthia, hiking up Mt. Washington, jumping in the waves at Avalon on the Jersey Shore, enjoying the family cottage at Lake St. Catherine, VT, and walking on the Niskayuna bike/hike path along the Mohawk River.
Jean is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Bill; a daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Scott Chisholm of Canton, NY; a son, David of Niskayuna; five grandchildren, Mary and Katie Chisholm of Canton, NY and Patrick, Nicholas and Anna Collins of Tampa, FL.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, January 2, 2009 at the Poling Chapel of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 8 N. Church St., Schenectady. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10:30 to 12 noon at the chapel. The interment of cremains will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Jean's memory may be made to the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 8 N. Church St., Schenectady, NY 12305 or to the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, 897 St. David's Lane, Niskayuna, NY 12309.