Elizabeth Bohne Collins

Betty Collins, beloved wife of Jack Collins, revered mother, legendary 5th grade teacher, loyal friend, storyteller, wit, psychology pioneer, and cheerful “chief cook and bottle washer” was delighted to live so long as to hold nine great-grandchildren on her lap.  She was very grateful to watch and be part of the four generations of her lineage, of whom she was rightfully proud.  She recently died at home at the age of 93.  

Born in Joplin, Missouri, Betty moved to Grand Rapids where she met the love of her life, John Jay (Jack) Collins and married him before he left for Europe where he flew a B-26 in the Second World War.  Returning home to his one-year-old daughter, Chase, the three of them settled into East Grand Rapids where John, Christopher, and Liz were born.  Betty and Jack had lively happy years of family life:  dinner was always eaten together at home, conversation was expected and  interesting, so was the food.  The dictionary was always at hand; if you didn’t know the word, “look it up!”  Add to that: an appreciation for singing, golf, sports, good manners, bridge, reading, music, swimming not-too-far-out in the Big Lake, the Kentucky Derby, and laughter.  

Betty entered her second career as an exemplary 5th grade teacher at Breton Downs Elementary where she and her compatriot, Nancy Leatherby were early proponents for team-teaching which was soon to become a trend in the educational world.  Combining their two classes and dividing their teaching duties according to their affinities in the curriculum, Betty’s expertise was in math, reading, grammar, and keeping a positive perspective on difficulties.  More than a thousand children passed through her classroom over Betty’s 25 years, better students and—perhaps--better people than when they entered them.  

Mrs. Collins’s philosophy of teaching was not based in theory, but in the psychological acknowledgement that children are individuals who can be encouraged to do their best when treated with respect, support, and encouragement, when self-discipline is part of the day and people care about each other.  She allowed for laughter too, spontaneous laughter, as well as the pleasure of her readings aloud of E.B. White’s wise novels, playing games, and making chocolate sauce in the classroom, bottled and wrapped in her favorite color—red--for the holidays. 

Betty Collins was a woman who did her best in everything she promised to do: for her husband, her own children and for the students and families in her community, she kept her word, which was Love.  

She is survived by children: Chase and Mark Levey, John and Penny Collins, Christopher and Debby Collins, and Liz and Matt Johnson; Grandchildren: Collin and Andrew Levy, Jake Levey, Gwane and Lowell Jacobson, Sarah and David Boyd, Bill Collins, Michael Collins and David Zawicki,  Eryn Collins, Kate and Jack Johnson; and Great-Grandchildren:  Elliott, Hazel, Jack and Leo Levy, Owen Jacobson, Christopher and Juliet Boyd, and Caeden and Brady Collins. 

A Memorial Services at Fountain Street Church, October 17th at 11 am.  The family will greet friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, October 16th from 4 to 6pm.  In lieu of flowers, follow your heart. 

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