Mrs. Rose "Mary" Mae Gillon-Collins

Rose Mae Gillon (Mary) was born October 4, 1932, the daughter of Annie Laura Gillon and beloved granddaughter of Jeff and Lydia Gillon. Rosie loved the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age. Ever present on her tongue was the name of Jesus or his sacred scriptures. Her mom and grandparents bathed her in the goodness of southern living. She became their pride and joy. Being with family, laughing and sharing with relatives was at the core of her daily experience. Rosie is a generatianal figure of the Gillon, Collins and Nance famiiies. Rosie Mae Gillon departed this life on Saturday, December 1, 2012. Rosie was preceded in death by her mother Laura Lee; her husband, Howard Collins, Sr. and son, Howard Collins, Jr., maternal aunts Helen Castine, Rosa Hardrick, Rosa Beatrice Gillon and Mary Lucy Gillon; uncles William Castine, OC. Hardrick Sr, Frank Gillon Sr., Theodore Gillon and Ed Gillon. She leave to cherish her memories her devoted sons, Nathaniel, Kevin (Cheryl), and Michael; her loving daughter Laura (Maurice Moorman), loving cousins Joyce Thomas, James (Jean) Gillon, Eugene, Ernestine, Lydia and Stanley; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren and a host of relative's and friends. Rosie left her earth vessel and united with her mom and grandparents forever. She was loved by so many. Rosie migrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1936, traveling the route that many relatives before her had journeyed. She came with her Aunt Beatrice and son's Frank, Jr and James Fredrick. All were destined to join family on 7th & Reservoir at the boarding home at William and Helen Castine. As a student of Milwaukee Public Schools she under took classes and made many friends at 4th Street (Golden Meir) and 9th Street (Roosevelt), graduating from Wells Junior High School. Rosie was united in matrimony to Howard Collins, Sr. She mastered the arts of homemaking, motherhood and shopping. On one of her shopping sprees she met Jeannie Fletcher who became a close lifetime friend of over 50 years. The Collins and the Fletchers became inseparable. Rosie had a heart of gold. There was nothing to big or too small that she couldn't achieve. The door to her house and her heart was open to everyone. Besides raising her own children, she took in foster children, babysat for relatives and friends and she quickly became known as "Mother Collins" or "Granny" to everyone in the neighborhood. Rosie would often stop people, both acquaintances and strangers out and about their daily lives on the block or in a store to share a kind word. If there were children, Rosie was sure to ask, "How are you doing in school?" "Get your education! Stay in School and don't let nobody turn you around!" Special recognition is given to care giver Linda Roby and the residents and staff of Fernwood Court Senior Living Center, to the participants and Staff of Luther Manor Day Care Center, and most graciously to the residents and staff of the Close To Home Residential Group Home with special mention to its director, Patty Hanscurg and her co- workers Toni Owens, Desire Morgan, and Megan Hanscurg who gave "Ms. Mary" 'Or "granny" care, compassion and a home away from home. The Lord sent special angels to take care of and assist "Mother Collins" in her twilight years.

Mrs. Rose "Mary" Mae Gillon-Collins

October 4, 1932 - December 1, 2012