Patricia Abel Collins

Patricia Abel Collins, 87, of Simpsonville, SC, widow of James ‘Jim’ Joseph Collins, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Born in Youngstown, OH, she was a daughter of the late Edward John and Helen Louise Lally Abel.

Pat grew up in Boardman, Ohio, graduated from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame and then went to St. Louis University for her masters. Recruited by the CIA, she moved to Washington, DC where she met her husband, Jim and raised two wonderful daughters in Old Farm, Rockville, MD. She returned to teaching – World History and Latin – at The Academy of the Holy Cross. This is what she loved the best and was most proud of in her career. She was a favorite to so many – favorite teacher, favorite aunt and favorite Nana. And a wonderful mother to Lally, me and all of our friends both in Rockville and Kitty Hawk.  She retired to the Outer Banks and then continued south to Melbourne Beach, Florida for a period of time before joining her family and grandkids in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

What a great life she led – spending time with her grandkids and her extended family, giving back to her community in so many ways, working in her gardens and living a wonderful, adventurous life through her travels.  A more recent past time hobby was the New York Times spelling bee, and she would always wear her bee pin!

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Curtice Winsch (Marty); two grandchildren, Holden Winsch (Bailey) and Maxwell Winsch; a brother, Richard “Dickie” Abel (Barbara); and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Sara Lally Collins; and three siblings, Helen “Honey Lou” Louise Dundon (Thomas), Jacqueline Wolter (James), and Edward “Bubby” Abel.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Academy of the Holy Cross – the Holy Cross Fund.