Rita Laura DeVillers Collins passed away on January 31, 2026, in Windsor, VT.  She was born on January 26, 1932, to Antonio and Rose Villers in Claremont, NH.

She was the second youngest of five children.  She grew up on the family farm on Twistback Road, Claremont, NH.  She was a lifelong parishioner of St Mary's Church and attended St Mary's school until the 8th grade.  Life back then was hard, but she had an overall happy childhood.  She worked several jobs to include:  a top and fancy stitcher at a shoe factory making combat boots; manufacturing at Goodyear in Windsor, VT where she met John M. Collins; assembly and packaging at Tampax; and photo album assembly at The Holson Company.

Rita married John Morris Collins on January 26, 1952, in Claremont, NH.  She had five children, four surviving, and raised them in the Claremont, NH area.

She enjoyed gardening and especially loved her flowers, particularly roses.  She was very creative and artistic as a talented painter and woodworker.  She also enjoyed coloring and was an avid puzzle builder in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, daughter Veronica, son Leon, great grandchild Andrew, and all her siblings.

She is survived by her children, Christine Snyder, Laura Brookens, and Alan Collins; five grandchildren, Andrea (Collins) Thompson, Merci (Collins) Abella, Ralph Sawyer, Kirstin Snyder, and Erin Snyder-Oktay; and 5 great grandchildren, Anthony, Alexis, Amore, Arnel, and Austin.

Mass is being held at St Joseph Church in Claremont, NH on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:00 am.  A graveside burial will follow at St Mary's Cemetery in Claremont, NH.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Rita's memory to St. Mary's Church, Claremont, NH.