The Life of Pauline B. Collins

Pauline B. (nee Beaver) Collins, 93, of Philadelphia, PA, and formerly of Drexel Hill, PA, passed away on October 23, 2019. Pauline was the beloved wife of the late John F. Collins; loving mother of Anne Collins, Patricia Palmerio (William), and Joan Rosen (Joel); caring grandmother of Joshua Palmerio, Joseph Rosen, Kevin Rosen, and Samantha Rosen, and great-grandmother of Ellie Palmerio; predeceased by her siblings, Robert, John Joseph, Susan, and James; also survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pauline Beaver was born in 1925 to John and Anna Beaver in Lewistown Pennsylvania. At just 2 years old she lost her mother to cancer. Being motherless profoundly affected her life, creating a strong desire to create and maintain a close circle of family and friends. As a child, she found a lifelong best friend in Mary Wagner, a friendship that lasted over 80 years. During the difficult years of the great depression, the two of them spent time as kids riding bikes and visiting Mary’s parent’s farm.

Pauline graduated from Lewistown High School in 1943 and shortly after moved to Philadelphia with Mary to find opportunities unavailable in their hometown after the war. In a short time, she found a position as secretary to the Dean of Wharton’s evening division.

Pauline met and married John Collins in 1947. They shared a love that lasted a lifetime. When they began to have children, Pauline left full time work outside the home to take on the hardest job in the world as homemaker and mother to three daughters, Anne, Patricia and Joan. In the early years, she periodically returned to her old job at Wharton to fill in during vacation periods. She always used that extra income to buy special gifts for her girls.

John took a job as a Philadelphia Police Officer in the early 50’s which brought its own challenges to the family. In addition to the constant worry about his safety, ever changing shifts around the clock made normal family activities a bit more difficult to arrange. But Pauline became accustomed to the work schedules and things as simple as Sunday dinner whether at 1:00 or 6:00 meant everyone was together.  Those meals were always interesting as everyone was encouraged to discuss current affairs and as with most families opinions were passionate, diverse and often loud. Pauline made sure that the Collins home was the place all the neighborhood kids could gather, making it a house full of noise and laughter. Located on the edge of the University of Pennsylvania campus, the Collins' home was warmly welcoming to the gang of kids from all walks including St. James parish and places as far away as Japan, whose parents ranged from janitors to professors.  

When vacation time came around the family would get in the car and travel, often to go back to Pauline’s home Lewistown. She never forgot her friends there. Pauline was fiercely loyal to them. Over the years, the car travel expanded to Florida to visit her best friend Mary and her husband Pete and later all over the United States, including Alaska. Although not a fan of flying, Pauline and John did get to Europe and visited places where John served in Germany during World War II.

As Joan finished high school, Pauline decided to re-enter the workforce and was employed by Strawbridge and Clothier. She really enjoyed being back to work outside the home. She was assigned to different areas within the company from the Candy department to Human Resources.

John and a Pauline made sure that their girls were well educated and when Pat and Joan found the loves of their lives and decided to marry in the same year they didn’t blink and helped to assure that they each had beautiful days.

Pauline and John had great joy and pride when the family expanded and their grandchildren Josh Palmerio, and Joe, Kevin and Samantha Rosen were born.  In the last two years her great granddaughter Ellie was born and just this past May, her grandson Joe married Leah and she was thrilled that she was able to attend their wedding in Cincinnati.

Family and friends were everything to Pauline. She tried to make sure their needs were met first and took little time for herself and her own interests or hobbies. After retirement, Pauline and John were gifted bikes one Christmas and enjoyed cycling around Drexel Park. Pauline was an avid reader. Everyday the newspaper would arrive and be read from front to last page. And she loved reading fiction and sharing books she had finished with other residents of her apartment building. 

When John passed away in 1998 after over 50 years of marriage, Pauline was lost for a time. But her persistence to go on and lead a life that had value took her to Delaware County Hospital to volunteer. In her 70’s she developed a whole new group of friends that she added to those she held close for the rest of her life. Her Delaware Valley Hospital Volunteer family of friends would often take day trips together all over the area from places like Atlantic City to New York City. She loved spending time with that group.

Pauline faced life and it’s challenges on her own terms. Both Pauline and John made sure their children had easier lives than they had. They believed and lived the American Dream. They were children of the Great Depression and World War II who believed that they could live a better life and provide even more opportunities for their children if they just worked hard and persevered and with great determination they succeeded.

Services and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org, 100 N. 20th Street, Suite 405, Philadelphia, PA 19103, would be appreciated.

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Donations may be made to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
100 N. 20th Street, Suite 405, Philadelphia PA 19103
Web: http://www.lls.org