Mercedes A. (Iglesias) Collins
Mercedes A. (Iglesias) Collins, born in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico and a former resident of Milton and Hull, Mercedes passed away peacefully on June 9, 2017 at the Marina Bay Skilled Nursing Center in Quincy, where she had lived for the past five years. She would have celebrated her 98th birthday in November.
The beloved wife of the late John D. Collins, Sr., she loved to travel with her late husband, who always referred to her as “Madame Queen.” Mrs. Collins was an avid cook and a gracious hostess who loved to entertain her family and friends and was celebrated for her elegant dinner parties. A noted and talented seamstress, she was instrumental in forming “The Gulliver Street Sewing Club” in the early 1950s in Milton. She was also hailed for her “green thumb,” especially with houseplants. She loved to dance and was a champion bowler. An active member of the Wollaston Golf Club, when it was originally located in Quincy and after it relocated to Milton, she also enjoyed the card games and friendly repartee with her golfing friends after each game.
Loving mother of Hilda M. Morrill and her husband Ronald Morrill of Milton, MA; Deborah A. Collins and her husband Martin Maffeo of Natick, MA; Daniel J. Collins of West Palm Beach, FL; Laurie M. Selby and her husband Arthur Selby of White River Junction, VT; Mercedes “Merci” A. Collins of Whitman, MA; and John D. Collins, Jr. and his wife Susan Collins of Weymouth, MA.
Adored grandmother of Maria M. Morrill of Brooklyn, NY; the late Laurie M. Morrill, of Cambridge, MA; Michael Morrill of Norwood, MA; Lauren Maffeo of Bethesda, MD; Eva Collins Alves of West Palm Beach, FL; John D. Collins III of West Palm Beach, FL; Sarah Selby of Allston, MA; and Christina Collins of Weymouth, MA. Cherished great-grandmother of Christopher Morrill of Norwood, MA; Aiden Alves and Alexandra Alves of West Palm Beach, FL. Dear sister of the late Maria Esperanza Quinones of Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and the late Francisco Iglesias of Puerto Rico.
It being her wish, there were no public visiting hours, and interment in Milton Cemetery was private.
Guestbook Entries
Dear Hilda, Sincere sympathy on behalf of all the Pilgrim Road Mullens on the loss of your dear mother. She was quite a lady! We will keep her and all of your family in our prayers. With love,
Joan Mullen Enriquez
To the extended Collins family,
In spite of a life well-lived, I read with great sadness of the passing of Madame Queen. Such a wealth of memories from having her as a neighbor and dear friend for more years that I can count.
Just thinking of her that rapid-fire Puerto Rican accent come happily to my brain.
Hard to pick a favorite memory: Perhaps being in the same room with Mom on one side and Madame Queen nearby as Barbara Daly imitated both to perfection. Hard to know which enjoyed it more!
Sharing in your loss with love to all, Anne