Obituary of Mary Agnes Collins

MARY AGNES COLLINS Mary Collins died on Monday, December 2, 2008 at The Country House in Chico. She was 92. Mary was born Mary Agnes Litinsky, August 5, 1916 in Saskatchewan Canada. At age 6 her family, originally from the Ukraine, settled in Chico. Mary's mother, Rosie, had a vision that their family would find fortune and good times in a place with a giant tree. In addition to the fact that other relatives and friends had already settle in Chico, the old Hooker Oak Tree indicated the right place for Rosie, her husband Joseph, and their four daughters, Mary Olga, Nelsha (Nellie) and Lacarrcha (Carrie). During the 20's and hard-times of the 30's, Mary's family did manage to prosper. By the late 30's they had a home and almond/nut processing plant at the end of East 20th St., located where Chico Scrap Metal is today. They also, acquired a few hundred acres of almond orchards in the Chico/Durham area. Mary always said that her family had to work very hard. "In those days the girls had to work just like the men." As a child, Mary attended the old wooden built Chapman School, torn-down before Chapman Recreation Center replaced it. Mary was very involved in her father's nut business and never went to high school. To her credit, later in life, she attended Chico High School night classes and finally receive her diploma. In the late 30's she met her future husband delivering nuts to her fathers business. James A. Collins from Oklahoma really caught Mary's eye. "He was a real a snappy dresser." They were married in 1938 and as a wedding gift from her father, settled in a new home at 796 East 20th St. In 1940, an only son was born, James W. Collins. All of her life Mary was a homemaker, mother and caregiver. She cared for both her father and mother before their passing. She cared for her husband James, who died in 1977 a year after bypass surgery. She has always enjoyed working in and about her home. In later years, as 20th Street became a busy expressway, she could be seen everyday out in her yard cleaning, sweeping or watering. Cal-Trans even gave her an orange traffic safety jacket, because she spent so much time sweeping the sidewalks around her house and near the street. An article was written about Mary by the ER in 1991: "The Guardian/ Historian of 20th Street." She was always very proud of that. Mary was also very proud of her family and would stop anyone at the mall or Wal-Mart to talk about her son, grandsons and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her son, James; grandsons, John, Mark and David; great-grandsons, Mark Jr., Steven, Matthew, Michael, Jacob, Dillon, and Shawn; and great-granddaughter, Lacey. The family would like to especially thank "The Country House" for all the care and love extended to Mary in her final days there. Services will be held at Bidwell Chapel, 341 W. 3rd St., Chico on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make donations to the Salvation Army or your favorite charity. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.bidwellchapel.com.