Joyce Rita Collins, 83, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away

peacefully on May 28, 2024 at her bayfront home in West Wildwood, NJ, surrounded by her

loving family.

Born on June 20, 1940 in Philadelphia to John and Rita Ralston, Joyce grew up in a close-knit

Catholic family. In high school, she loved working as a waitress in downtown Philadelphia at

Horn & Hardart. After graduating from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1958, she met the

love of her life, Joseph Collins. The two married in 1960 and settled in Clifton Heights, PA, in

1964 where they raised their three children - Carolmarie, Joseph Jr., and Rita.

In 1986, Joyce and Joe purchased their dream retirement home on the bay in West Wildwood,

initially spending summers there. When they retired, they relocated to their little slice of paradise

full-time to enjoy the salt air, watch the tide roll in and out, and feed the ducks and local

seagulls. Joyce would often fondly recall the stories of the days she spent in West Wildwood as

a child with her grandmother, often feeding the train crew a fish dinner when the train pulled into

town.

The matriarch of the family, Joyce had a generous and caregiving spirit. An excellent cook, she

loved hosting family gatherings, holiday dinners, and games of cards with family and friends.

With an honest and witty personality, Joyce always spoke her mind. Always creative and willing

to help, she embraced any kind of home renovation project, traveling with tools and paintbrush

in tow.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband and casino nights with her girlfriends and

sisters. Christmas dinners were celebrated with the entire family for over 50 years at 507 -

always including her favorite traditions of French onion soup, an obligatory round of the Twelve

Days of Christmas, and “Happy Birthday” to baby Jesus. Her love of motherhood was evident in

her closeness to her children, grandchildren, and most recently, great-grandchildren, for whom

she always kept crafts and fruit snacks on hand. Above all, Joyce was a woman of devout faith,

which gave her strength until the very end.

Her kindness, nurturing love, and unconditional devotion to family will be deeply missed. Joyce

is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Joseph; children Carolmarie (John), Joseph Jr.

(Aimee), and Rita (Rob); 8 granddaughters; 11 great-grandchildren and another on the way;

siblings, Carol, Grace (Thomas), and JR (Audrey); many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and the

innumerable friends who became family.

A funeral mass celebrating Joyce's life will be held at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, St. Ann

Church, 2901 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood, on Tuesday, June 4th; the family will receive guests

for visitation beginning at 10 AM followed by a Roman Catholic Mass at 11AM. Donations in her

honor can be made to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (Pink Sisters), Convent of Divine Love,

in Philadelphia. Condolences at ingersollgreenwoodfh.com