Wilder, Vermont – Lyla Mae Collins, 81, died Monday evening, January 16, 2012 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Lyla was born December 28, 1930 in Barre, Vermont the daughter of Justin S. and Vena G. (Blondin) Gibbs. She attended schools in Quechee and graduated from Hartford High School class of 1948. Later that year she married her high school sweetheart Merton Dean Collins, Oct. 30, 1948. They lived their entire lives in the White River Jct., area. Along with raising their four children she also worked at several jobs in the upper valley region. First as a waitress at the Green Lantern Restaurant in Hanover, NH, then at the IGA Supermarket in Wilder, VT., later as a milk tester for Vermont Dairy Herd Improvement Association and then for a short time at Johnson Home Center and Fogg's Building Supply. She retired as a sales floor representative from Staple's in West Lebanon, NH. When the new store was built in West Lebanon, due to her many years of service, it was dedicated to her. During the late 1990's Lyla took classes at Community College of Vermont where she received her Bachelor's of Science Degree.

She was a very active member of the Bugbee Senior Center, in White River Jct., where she enjoyed the Book Club and playing bridge. She also volunteered with the Step Up To Read program at the White River Elementary School. Through Community College of Vermont she helped adults with English as a second language. She enjoyed her cats, knitting, gardening, and watching the squirrels at her feeder outside her window.

She was predeceased by her husband and a daughter, Sherry C. Stearns who died in June 2002. Her survivors include, a daughter, Richelle Schaefer of Wilder, VT, two sons, Douglas Dean Collins of Kallispell, MT and Jeffery John Collins of Hatton, ND, ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, two sisters, Kathy Conrad of Hersey, PA, Johanna "Sis" Bacon of Charlestown, NH., a half brother, Gerald Currie of Florida and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life with card games and refreshments will be held Saturday afternoon, January 21, at 1PM at the Fairfield Inn in White River Jct., VT. Casual attire is requested.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions maybe made to the Bugbee Senior Center, 262 North Main Street, White River Jct., VT 05001