PITTSFIELD – Camellia Kay “Cammy” Collins, 54, died Oct. 2, 2004, surrounded by the love of her family and some special friends at her home in Pittsfield. Cammy was born March 17, 1950, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Z. Paul and Betty Lieurance. Cammy graduated from Southern Wells High School, Poneto, Indiana in 1968 and from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1972 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Cammy’s 32-year career included positions as teacher, day care provider, administrator, and mentor. Cammy has been the HomeStart manager for Kennebec Valley Community Action Program since 1998 where she was well known for her advocacy for the children served and their families. Cammy’s last weeks and days were buoyed by many calls from friends and colleagues from near and far expressing their profound love and support for her in wishing her success in overcoming her illness. Each had a story for the family about how Cammy touched their life with love and had helped them accomplish more than they realized they could. Cammy was a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and presented at the organizations national conference on several occasions about the successes of innovative programs that she helped develop and implement. Cammy is survived by her mother, Betty Lieurance, of Warren, Ind.; her husband and soul mate of 27-years, Gerald B. “Jerry” Collins; a son, Paul B. Collins of Chicago, Ill.; a daughter, Dena K. Collins of Farmington and Pittsfield. Cammy was a dedicated, nurturing, loving mother and wife who always kept the needs of her family foremost in her mind and actions. Her greatest joys in life came from her family. Cammy will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her mother-in-law, Edith M. Collins, of Bangor; a brother-in-law, Thomas B. Collins, of Bangor; and a sister-in-law, Cindy Lieurance of Bluffton, Ind. Cammy is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many special friends that have many memories of her to recall with fondness. Cammy was predeceased by her father, Z. Paul Lieurance in 1971; and her brother, Larry Lieurance in 1990. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004, at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Newport. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, at the First Baptist Church, Main Street, Pittsfield, with the Rev. William Johnson officiating. A celebration of Cammy’s life will be held immediately following the funeral service at the Mystic Masonic Lodge, Hamilton Drive in Pittsfield. Gifts of remembrance may be sent to Cammy’s special program, “HomeStart”, care of KVCAP, 97 Water St., Waterville, ME 04901.
CAMELLIA KAY COLLINS
