Carolyn “MeMom” Bennett Collins of Mardela Springs passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 at Wicomico Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Dec. 23, 1933 in Salisbury, the daughter of the late Darcy O. Bennett and Florence Hopkins Bennett.
Carolyn grew up in Mardela Springs and graduated from Mardela High School with the class of 1951. After high school she went on to attend Delaware Hospital School of Nursing and worked several years as a registered nurse at Peninsula General Hospital before leaving to raise her family. She later started her second career as an administrative assistant at Mardela High School and retired in 1994 after 25 years of service. She adored the students at Mardela and became a second mother to many. Not only did she have a special place in her heart for kids but also cats.
Carolyn was a music lover. She played the piano and was a huge fan of Tom Jones and traveled to see him in concert over 100 times. She was a long-time member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Mardela where she played the organ and served as the choir director in her younger years. Carolyn never let grass grow beneath her feet and kept busy enjoying trips to the casino with her cousin June, playing cards with her ladies’ group and enjoying the company of her Goin’ Nuts Friday night dinner friends for over 20 years. Her true passion was spending time with family and the wonderful memories she made when hosting family Christmases or supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their school and sports endeavors.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Collins Cooper and husband Brian of Delmar; a son, Dean B. Collins and wife Rhonda of Laurel; grandchildren, Kory Shiles and wife April, and their children, Kayden, Kellen and Kayson; Jaime Cooper and husband Scott, and their children, Shea and Emmy, Troy Scott and his children David and Rylee; Dustin Shiles and wife Kelly, and their children, Logan and Parker; and Nick Cooper and wife Jaclyn and their daughter Stella; a cousin, June Miles; and a host of close friends and extended family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, William “Bill” I. Collins, Jr.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, and on Wednesday, Sept. 28, a funeral service. Dustin Shiles, grandson, and Reverend Scott Conn officiated. Interment followed at Mardela Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Mardela High School Softball Team, 24940 Delmar Road, Mardela Springs, MD, 21837.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.