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 Joelle Geddes Collins, 53
 November 29, 2024
Joelle G Collins
1971 - 2024
Joelle Geddes Collins, 53 of Williamstown, affectionately known as Ellie, has died. Surrounded by her loving family, with the tender caring support of Hospice, Ellie ended her journey at home on Friday November 29th concluding a 7-year battle with colon cancer.
The daughter of Robert W Collins and Sharyn Kronick Collins of North Adams, Ellie was born in the US Naval Hospital in Agana Heights, Guam on January 18, 1971. Following her dads naval service the family returned to North Adams and Ellie attended local schools, graduating from Drury High School in 1989. She earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1993, then her Juris Doctorate degree from Northeastern Law School, in 1997. Ellie clerked for the Honorable Shane Devine in the US District Court of New Hampshire. She was admitted to the Bar in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and concentrated on corporate and real estate law.
She began her career with Devine, Millimet & Branch, PC in Manchester, NH and had the honor of arguing a case before the New Hampshire Supreme court that resulted in a favorable judgement. Ellie returned to the Berkshires in 2000 and worked for Cain, Hibbard & Myers, P.C. until 2003. Following the birth of her boys she joined Parese, Sabin, Smith and Gold, LLP then returned to Cain Hibbard in 2015 until illness forced her retirement in 2018.
Ellie was an active mom and community volunteer. She was appointed a Trustee of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts by acting Governor Jane Swift in 2002 and reappointed by Governor Deval Patrick. She served on the Executive Committee and was Chair of the Student Affairs Committee at MCLA until her term ended in 2012. She had been on the Boards of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Leadership Program, and the First Congregational Church. She coached a Cal Ripken baseball team, taught her boys to ski, chaired a few fund-raising golf tournaments for Pine Cobble School and much more.
She is survived by her sons, William and Benjamin, life partner Corydon Thurston, and her parents Bob and Shari. Her sister Rebecca Polumbo (Gary), nieces Emma and Sarah Polumbo, and nephew Josh Polumbo of Williamstown. Her Aunt Marilyn Collins Truskowski (Joeseph) and cousins Jeff Truskowski (Jennifer) and Brian Truskowski (Michele) and families.
Ellie was predeceased by her grandparents, Irving and Marian Collins and Samuel and Rae Kronick all from North Adams.
Ellie will be dearly missed and a ceremony to celebrate her life will take place at the First Congregational Church in North Adams on Saturday December 21st at 11am. There are no calling hours, burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Ellie would be grateful if donations in her honor were directed to support others struggling with cancer, through any of the following:
Phelps Cancer Center of BMC
Patients Care Assistance Fund
165 Tor Court
Pittsfield, MA 01201
POP Cares
PO Box 482
Williamstown, MA 01267
HospiceCare in the Berkshires
877 South St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
First Congregational Church UCC
134 Main Street
North Adams, MA 01247
The Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To add to the Book of memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
| Shari and Bobby, please know that I am thinking of you and the rest of the family at this time. I look forward to seeing you soon! | | from: Terri Schlosberg | on: 12-21-2024 |
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| Shari and Bobby, I am so sorry for your loss. I am wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time. | | from: Terri Schlosberg | on: 12-20-2024 |
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| Shari and Bobby, please know that we are thinking of you and the entire family at this difficult time and wishing you strength and peace. May your dearest memories of Ellie bring you comfort. Big hugs! Look forward to seeing you! | | from: Constance Thomas and Grace Strachan | on: 12-20-2024 |
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| Bob, Shari, Cory and family, So sorry about Ellie. She seemed like a very strong, smart and caring person from the few interactions I had with her. Peace to you all. | | from: David Woods | on: 12-12-2024 |
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| I am so very sorry to hear of Ellie’s passing. I am sending prayers of comfort to all of you. May your memories of happy times bring you comfort. | | from: Maureen Taft Moore | on: 12-11-2024 |
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| Bob, Shari, and family, I am so sorry to read of the devastating loss of your daughter. Prayers for comfort and peace at this time. | | from: Debbie Darling | on: 12-11-2024 |
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| My deepest condolences Ben, Will, and Matthew McDonough - may the time, memories and love you shared bring you comfort during this difficult time and in the days ahead. | | from: Melissa Tarentino | on: 12-11-2024 |
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| Bob Sharyn & family, I am so very sorry for your loss. | | from: Tom Elder | on: 12-06-2024 |
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| Ellie was wonderful. There are no words adequate. | | from: Kurt Alexander | on: 12-06-2024 |
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| Bob, Sheri and family~ there are no words of comfort with the devastating loss of a child at any age…my prayers for you all and may God give you strength~ | | from: Cheryl Lefave | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| Dear Bob and Shari. Please know how sorry we were to hear about Ellie. We cannot imagine what you are going through. We send our love and sympathy to you and your family. Sandy and Larry Frederick | | from: | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| I think of Ellie as a very brave and determined young woman who was to be admired by all who knew her. Sincere sympathy to those who loved her and felt her love in return. | | from: Jane Betti | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| Bob, Shari and family we were so very sorry to hear of the passing of your daughter,Ellie. Our hearts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. | | from: Debbie & Allen Kushnet | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| Bobby and Shari, So sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose a child no matter the age. My thoughts and prayers for you and all of your family. | | from: Donna Ballou Banyas | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| So sorry to hear of your loss, Bobby. May she rest in peace among God's angels. | | from: Bob Gallagher | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| I am so very sorry for your loss. | | from: Gabrielle West | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| My heart breaks for you all. Ellie was such a wonderful woman and I know how hard she fought to remain here with you all. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins, you are in my prayers. You raised a wonderful person. Becky and family, I know how close you all were and hope you find comfort knowing she's still with you every day. And to her boys, Ben and Will, your mother will forever love you and be looking out for you. You were blessed with the best and you're all in my thoughts every day. | | from: Colleen McGrath Finnerty | on: 12-05-2024 |
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| I am so very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of coaching Ellie in high school! | | from: Michelle Darling | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Bobby and Shari I was so sorry to learn of the passing of your exceptional daughter. What an amazing person she has been and she will be deary missed. My deepest condolences. May she RIP. | | from: Frank Lentine | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Deepest Sympathies to the Collin’s and Polumbo family. Our family is thinking of during your loss. | | from: Lisa Lincoln | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Cory, Bob, Sharyn and Family, we sent our sincere condolence for the loss that will leave a deep and everlasting hole in your hearts. Bill and Joan Haddad | | from: | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Sending my sincere sympathy to all the family. May the memories sustain you through this difficult time. | | from: Kate Harrington | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Nancy and I are so sorry for your loss. Ellie was an excellent student but more importantly a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with you. Take comfort in your memories. | | from: Don Pecor | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Dear Shari, Bob, & all Ellie’s family, I am suffering with you your deep sadness and grief at Ellies’s passing. I offer my prayers and sincere condolences, and have to say that I share your pain. Do work to remember the good times. | | from: Diane Parsons | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Dear Shari, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. | | from: Diane Sinclitico Dickerman | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| Bob & Shari, the loss of a child is the hardest cross to bare. Her life is a tribute to a great up bringing. My thoughts are with you at this time . | | from: Chris Moyer | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| This one hurts! We are heartbroken as I struggle to find words to make sense of all of this. Heaven shines a lot brighter now for it has gained the most beautiful soul. Fierce and strong a fighter to the end. Ellie accomplished so much in her short time here. She made a difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. It's been an honor and privilege to call her a friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and countless lives she touched. | | from: The Baran Family | on: 12-04-2024 |
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We are so very sorry for your loss.
Sharon and Charlie Nemser | | from: Sharon DeMyer Nemser | on: 12-04-2024 |
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| I am So Sorry for your loss. My Sincere condolences Go out to the Entire Collins Family and Friends of Ellie . She was a very kind and caring person. I had the pleasure of meeting her at MCLA she will be truly missed. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you all during this difficult time. God bless you Ellie. | | from: John Brown | on: 12-03-2024 |
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Our hearts break for you all, Bob, Shari, Will, Ben, Becky, and Cory. She was such a sweet girl who grew into a wonderful woman,. We know that you'll be sustained by the many people who loved her and blessed by beautiful memories of her.
We are especially thinking of her being the best mom to Will and Ben.... Love to you all. | | from: Anne Urban | on: 12-03-2024 |
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| I am so sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine how devastating this must be for all of you. | | from: LYNDA SHAFER | on: 12-03-2024 |
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| Will, Ben, Becky, Bob and Shari, so sorry. Ellie was an such a great soul. God Bless. | | from: daniel sherman | on: 12-03-2024 |
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Heard this awful news over the weekend and it made me sick. Been friends with Ellie since Mark Hopkins and always had a great relationship with her and her entire family. Such a great group. I pray that she is at peace now and know she’s watching over everyone. Thoughts and prayers out to the entire Collins Family.
Jim | | from: Jim Barbuto | on: 12-03-2024 |
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