Kathleen “Kay” nee (Bindon) Collins

Kathleen “Kay” (Bindon) Collins passed peacefully away at the age of 101, surrounded by her family, on July 8th, 2016, at her residence at Tiffany Village. Kay was predeceased by her parents William Bindon and Alice (O’Neill) Bindon, her baby son John in 1946 and her husband Bernard in 1981. Left with fond and loving memories her four sons William “Bill” (Christine), Bernard “Tanny” (Elizabeth “Liz”), Brian (Janet), and Andrew (Shirley); her grandchildren Jonathan (Ashley Andrews) & Michael (Robin Hawkins), Raymond (Julie) & Susan, Allan & Paul & David, Sarah (Tom Kirk) & Stephen (Kelly) & Jane (Graham Keay); her step-grandchildren Joel & Jared & Mitchell Harvie; and great-grandchildren Grace & Benjamin, James, Sophie & Henry. She also leaves to mourn sisters Patricia Eleanor MacLeod in Pensacola, Florida and Regina DiPietro (Joe) of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Bindon cousins Louise Doyle and Winnie Carew, sister-in-law Daphne Collins, many loved nieces and nephews across Canada and USA, her special friend Lil Moakler and many new friends from Tiffany Village. Kay was one of a family of 13 Bindon children that grew up on Cook Street. She was a toddler when the Beaumont-Hamel battle took place, she had clear memories of Charles Lindberg flying his plane over St. John’s en route to Paris and watched the Colonial Building riot from a safe distance in 1932. She met her future husband Bernard while skating on the wetlands where King George V Park is now located. They both joined the Newfoundland Hiking Club, in keeping with the active outdoor life that she led throughout a century in her beloved Newfoundland. At her home on First Avenue she raised four boys to adulthood, and helped her husband build PF Collins International Trade Solutions into the success that it remains to this day, now led by her grandson Raymond. Her husband Bernard died in 1981, leaving her in mourning for the love of her life. Yet resilience carried her on, and she resumed an active lifestyle. She was a fun and spirited participant in many groups, including the 3F Club at the Mews Centre, the Happy Wanderers, the MUN Extension Choir, the Square Dance Club and many others. She became a fierce but friendly card player. Her ten grandchildren gave her special joy, and she taught each of them (with varying degrees of success) to sing and dance. Her five great-grandchildren brought her more joy and laughter. She was well-known to other dog walkers in the First Avenue, Roche Street & Rennies River area. She would put in numerous kilometres each day until age 95, when a car ran over her leg. But because of her strength, resilience and independence, after a few months of convalescence she was walking again. It was after this accident she moved to Tiffany Village, where she made many new friends and became a favourite of the staff. If there was music on the go, she’d be up dancing and singing. The staff were so kind and loving to her, and particularly caring in her last week following an apparent stroke. She led a loving life of dignity, fun and warmth. Cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends may visit the family at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Sunday, July 10th from 7-9 p.m. and Monday, July 11th, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 12th at 9:30 a.m. from St. Pius X, Smithville Crescent. Interment to follow at Belvedere Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Gathering Place www.gatheringstjohns.ca or a charity of one’s choice.