Shirley L. (Leidhecker) Collins

     Shirley L. Collins, 94, of Williamsport, passed away with family by her side Saturday, May 2, 2020 at Leighton Place in Williamsport.

     Born August 5, 1925, in Williamsport, she was the daughter of the late G. Gordon and Cora I. (Dailey) Leidhecker.

     She was an active member at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, and was involved in various committees. Shirley and her husband were members of the Original League Boosters. She enjoyed traveling, golf, bowling and playing bridge. She pursued her passion for music as a season ticket holder to the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. Shirley was a member of the Duboistown Garden Club and loved making Christmas wreaths and centerpieces. She volunteered for many years at the Community Theater League, Williamsport Hospital and Valley View Nursing Center.

     For more than thirty years Shirley & Bill opened their home to international students.  For those efforts she was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Williamsport. Many of the international students became lifelong friends and one, Liliana Antoniou, lived with the Collins’ for more than two years becoming the daughter she never had. Liliana and her husband George now reside in Florida.

     Surviving is a son, William “Bill” S. Collins, Jr. (Kim), of Springfield, VA; two grandchildren, Cheree David (Zach), of Arlington, VA and Robert Simpson (fiancée Julia Rowley), of Lovettsville, VA; and four great-grandchildren: Isabel, Sarah & James David and Ella Simpson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Naomi Leidhecker, of Williamsport and eight beloved nieces and nephews: Debra Porter (Jeff), Richard, Robert and Anne Collins, Peggy Wise (Bob), Karl, George & Jesse (Diane) Leidhecker; fifteen great nieces and nephews and twenty-five great, great nieces and nephews.

     In addition to her parents and a brother, G. Gordon Leidhecker, III, she was preceded in death by her loving husband William S. Collins in 1989.

        A memorial service to honor the life of Shirley will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15,2021 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1400 Market St., Williamsport with the Rev. Jeffery L. LeCrone officiating. Please adhere to mask wearing and social distancing.

     Burial will be held privately at the convenience of family in Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s name to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1400 Market St, Williamsport, PA 17701.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley L. (Leidhecker) Collins, please visit our floral store.