Phyllis D. Collins, loving wife, mother

Phyllis D. Collins, 83, peacefully passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, while at home with her husband and her son. 

Phyllis was born Oct. 30, 1941, in Staten Island, N.Y., to the late Joseph and Dorothy Jucciarone.

She graduated from St. John Villa Academy in 1959. While in high school, she was a member of the Sea Cadets and was recognized for her exceptional math skills, earning a medal in geometry.

Phyllis met her husband, Edward Collins, in 1959, and they married in 1962. She was a stay-at-home mother, and they raised their children in Hazlet and Jackson, N.J. 

In 1998, they retired to Lewes and most recently moved to Milford in 2023.

She enjoyed crocheting baby blankets and clothes for Sussex Pregnancy Care Center and Tunnell Cancer Center. Phyllis enjoyed reading a good book, sitting outside, and gardening, but most of all, spending time with family and friends.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Edward T. Collins; her children, Dorothy Sheldon and her husband Donovan, Edward J. Collins and his wife Stacey, Phyllis Ann DeMichele and her husband Thomas, Joseph Collins and his wife Terri, Kimberly Dehl and her husband Christopher, Thomas Collins and his wife Karen, and Patricia Murphy and her husband Nicholas; 17 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; and her brothers, Joseph and Michael Jucciarone.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Josephine Ann DeLapo; and her grandson, Michael Sheldon.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at Rogers Hovatter Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon, Friday, Oct. 10, at St. John’s the Apostle Church, 506 Seabury Ave., Milford. Interment will take place at Delaware Veterans Cemetery in Millsboro.

For condolences, visit rogersfhmilford.com.