Clara "Clarita" Collins

Clara “Clarita” Collins Clara L. Collins, 88, born in Panama´ City, Panama´ on August 26, 1927 and died at home in Santa Fe on June 20, 2016. Clarita attended Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, David, Panama´ where she was instructed by the Franciscan nuns and guided by her mother and father at home where she developed her lifelong profound, unwavering faith in God. As a young teenager she worked at an American military base in David where she saved her money and perfected her English to immigrate to the United States for more opportunities. Married for a brief time, she was left to raise five children ranging in ages 18 months to 10 years. All her children agree that she was the best mother in the whole wide world! In time when single motherhood was rare, Clarita did motherhood with dignity, grace, love, cheerfulness and gratitude. She worked for 20 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory where she was promoted from secretary and retired as a Technical Scientific Translator. After retiring, Clarita took care of her beloved mother, Clara Lorio, at home, until her death at 97. After that she travelled extensively spending a month yearly in Panama, where she reconnected with her Panamanian family and friends. On Sundays Clarita could be seen faithfully at St. John’s Catholic Church’s 9:00 a.m. Mass, 6th pew center aisle always sporting a colorful beret or hat. She always dressed with bright colors because she said: “it makes be happy.” Being grateful, cheerful and positive was her code. She was involved in the Catholic Charismatic Movement. She had a deep devotion to Padre Pio. Clarita was a passionate gardener and artist. Her home was always fragrant with fresh bouquets of roses from her garden. In her home and in those of her children you will find many of her lovely oil paintings, retablos, quilts, needlepoint, carvings and tinwork. She will be lovingly missed by her sister Elvira (Dr. Gilbert) Luna, her brother Alvaro Lorio, and her sister-in-law Kathy Lorio, her children Debra (Dan) Klecan, Daphne (Norm Richardson) Collins, Jason (Cheryl) Collins, Conrad (Nora McDougal) Collins, Roxanne (Ed Trujillo) Collins, her grandchildren Brett, Blake, Paul, Mharie, Connor, Keiran, Aidan Collins and Wesley Richarson and her six great-grandchildren, her beloved friends Eduardo and Elizabeth Miranda and her many wonderful nieces and nephews. In death, she is greeted by her parents Igantius and Clara Lorio, her brother George Lorio, and her BFF Connie Hernandez. A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Rivera Family Funeral Home, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, June 27, 2016 at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. John’s Soup Kitchen, 1301 Osage Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505.