Joan G. Collins (nee Harvey), on April 23, 2013, of Somerdale. Age 81. Beloved wife of Thomas W. Devoted mother of Craig R. (Priscilla), Mark S. (Anna Maria) and Joan Pantaleo (Michael). Loving grandmother of Mallory (fiancé T.J.), Patrick, Timothy, Victoria and Nevin.

Joan Harvey Collins was born in 1931 and raised in Philadelphia. As a teen, she babysat for Schoolboy Rowe and Dick Sissler, (for you old baseball fans). Joan
graduated Little Flower High School in 1949 and went to work at Bell Telephone Company where she became a supervisor at the age of 20.

Joan later worked at First Pennsylvania Bank where she met and married (1966) her devoted and loving husband, Tom. Tom encouraged her to stop working and Mom officially “retired” in 1967 and become a stay at home mom to her three children, Craig, Mark, and Joan.

Joan loved dogs and they loved her too! She passed her time reading novels (5 per week) – we think she might have finished every book in the library given more time. Cooking for her family was her passion, we dubbed her the “Best Cooker.” She would tell us as children “Eat up, you’re behind!” Ohh, we got such a kick out of it. Joan, also enjoyed needle point, and donating to Food for the Poor. More than anything, Joan loved her family, especially her grandchildren, Mallory, Patrick, Victoria, and Timothy.

Tom is an avid opera buff. One season, she attended the opera with him which led her to conclude that “there are no good operas, only long ones and short ones.” Very fitting of her dry sense of humor.

Our family recipe consists of these special ingredients: Mix together Delaney and Harvey, add a touch of Gallagher and Heher. Fold in a large portion of Brown and let it seep in. Now add to the mix McClure. Next a healthy portion of Collins, Hunter and Curtin. Stir and let settle. Now you put equal portions of Pantaleo, Ganskopp, Lear and our newest ingredient Krempa, roll together and you have the current makings of Joan’s loving family.

It goes without saying how deeply Mom will be missed in our daily, physical lives.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Monday 8:30-10:30 am at the Egizi Funeral Home 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Luke’s RC Church, Stratford. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

In lieu of flowers donations in Joan’s memory may be made to Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd., Coconut Creek, Florida 33073 or visit www.foodforthepoor.org. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com