Barbara Joan Collins

Barbara Joan Collins (nee Arnold), age 88, of Philipsburg, NJ passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, PA. 

She was born on May 20, 1936 in Plainfield, NJ. She was the daughter of the late John L. Arnold and Margaret E. Arnold (nee Reidy). 

Her beloved husband, James A. Collins, passed away in 1996 after 39 years of marriage. 

She grew up in South Plainfield, NJ and graduated from North Plainfield High School (Class of 1954). After marrying she lived in Piscataway for 42 years raising her three daughters. Barbara lost her first daughter to stillbirth. In addition to being a mom, Barbara was a Girl Scout leader for 10 years with the Washington Rock Girl Scout Council. 

She was a wonderful, loving mother and a caring loyal friend. She was always helping others and was full of quick wit and sense of humor. Fun fact, Barbara always wanted to be a roller derby gal. For enjoyment, Barbara loved camping and being by the water, be it Maine, Florida or the Jersey shore. 

Barbara enjoyed her travels to Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Maine and New Orleans. Barbara enjoyed food of all kinds, fine dining as well as a good hot dog.  She also took great pleasure in cooking big meals for her family and friends. Kind to the core, she was always helping others with her compassionate heart. She was a lover of all animals but especially enjoyed having many canine and feline friends in her home.  She was an avid reader of autobiographies, history and politics. Barbara also enjoyed nature and being outdoors with flowers, birds and butterflies. 

She worked at American Cyanamid for five years, raised her daughters and then worked at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club for 26 years, rising to the level of dining room supervisor before retiring at the age of 70. After retirement in 2005, Barbara moved to Phillipsburg and soon after she became a member of the St. Luke’s Warren Hospital Auxiliary. She participated in the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life team for five years.  

She is predeceased in addition to her loving husband, by two siblings: John Arnold and Thomasina Golday. She was also predeceased by her cherished Cocker Spaniel companion. 

Survivors include her three children; Kathleen J. Collins of Branchburg, NJ, Sharon J. Woscek and husband Steven Woscek of Phillipsburg and Tracy J. Collins of Phillipsburg and a grandson, Tyler Woscek of Easton, PA. She also has a dear sister-in-law, Bonnie Arnold of Anderson, SC. 

Charities Barbara liked that were near and dear to her heart: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The American Cancer Society.

Barbara’s spirit and kindness will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

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