Louise B. Collins

Louise Emily Blackburn Collins, age 104, passed away January 24, 2014 at Sunset House in Toledo, Ohio where she had lived for the past 5 years. Louise was born February 8, 1909 in New Paris, Pennsylvania to Rena Bisel Blackburn and Abram Vickroy Blackburn. She moved to Toledo as a young girl and later graduated from Scott High School. Louise furthered her studies at Carnegie Tech now Carnegie Mellon University earning a teaching degree in Home Economics. Upon returning to Toledo, Louise taught Home Economics in the Toledo Public School system. She married her high school sweetheart, Edmund T. Collins, Jr. in 1938 and raised two children, Edmund Vickroy and Susan Louise. Louise was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making many of her own clothes as well as draperies, curtains and slip covers for their home. She also excelled in cooking and earned the title of The Best Cook in Our Town, a series published by McCalls magazine in the 1950s, for her Tomato Pudding and Baked Limas With Sour Cream recipes. Her frequent dinner parties were legendary according to her friends. Louise had a love of fine antiques and interior decorating and traveled extensively in pursuit of these interests. Other interests included family genealogy and playing bridge. Whenever she was asked her age, she would invariably respond, Can you keep a secret? And then she would say, So can I. Over the years Louise devoted her time to the Lott Day School Mothers Group, the AAUW Gourmet and Antique groups, Sunset House Honorary Board, Toledo Museum of Art, Ottawa Hills Garden Club and the National Society of Colonial Dames. She was a long time member of First Congregational Church. Louise is survived by her son-in-law, Donald G. Pennell of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, grandchildren, Cynthia P. Sansone Gregory T. Sansone of Cumberland, Maine and Stephen C. Pennell Carrie Klug of Upper Arlington, Ohio, great grandchildren Wade T. Sansone and Madison Sue Pennell and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edmund T. Collins, Jr., son Edmund Vickroy Collins, daughter Susan C. Pennell, sister Grace Crawford and brothers Donald and Robert Blackburn. A private family service will be held at a later date at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the caring staff at Sunset House. Those wishing to extend an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Sunset Retirement Communities Residents Assistance Fund, 4040 Indian Rd., Toledo, OH 43606 or the charity of the donors choice. Arrangements have been made through the Walker Funeral Home, 419.841.2422.