Mary Hassig Collins passed away peacefully at home in Salina on the morning of April 22, 2024 after a brief illness. She was 74 years old.
Mary was born on October 13, 1949 in Birmingham, Alabama. As a child, she readily made friends wherever our military family fetched up, from Maine to Mississippi and even Germany.
During her teens, our family was living in Kansas City, where she graduated from Wyandotte High School. Matriculating first at Wichita State College, she transferred her sophomore year to Kansas State College. There she majored in music, becoming an accomplished flutist. Although she loved the flute and played with local orchestras, she declined to follow her musical muse.
Instead, she pursued a business career largely in advertising sales at newspapers in Kansas City and St. Louis. There she fell in love with and married Ed Gerner, an executive with AAA. They moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where Mary went to work for the telephone company Bell South. Ed passed away in 1997.
A decade or so later, she wed Tim Collins, an Englishman, whom she met while vacationing in Italy. After living in Italy for a few years, they moved to in Charlotte for a number of years, then relocated to Cornwall, England. There, she began to express her artistic self in the medium of fused glass.
The couple returned to the U.S. in 2021, settling in Minneapolis, Kansas, where they lived until Tim’s death just three months later. To be closer to her sister, Mary then moved to Salina, where she soon cultivated a devoted circle of friends. She worked part time at Rogue and B&K Prescription Shop delivering medications.
Mary leaves behind an older brother Lee Hassig, his wife Gerry, and an older sister Margaret Yarnevich, and her husband George—as well as Kay Yarnevich Smith, Steven Yarnevich, and Owen Hassig, her niece and nephews. We remember her for her warmth, incisive wit, and droll sense of humor. We all deeply mourn her passing and will greatly miss her uplifting presence in our lives.
Memorial service will be 2 pm Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church, 138 N. 8th St., Salina.
In Loving Memory of Mary Hassig Collins:
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Mary, who left us on April 22, 2024. She departed this world peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Mary’s love for music blossomed at an early age. She mastered the flute with passion and dedication, enchanting audiences with her melodious performances. Mary was also a gifted artist, capturing the beauty of life through her glass work. Her artwork reflected her vibrant spirit, illuminating the world with colors and emotions that touched the hearts of many.
From the rolling hills of North Carolina to the sun-soaked shores of Italy, to the picturesque countryside of England and later to the Flint Hills of Kansas. Mary embraced each new chapter of her life with grace and determination. Her spirit of adventure took her to far-flung corners of the globe, where she immersed herself in diverse cultures, languages, and experiences. Mary’s greatest legacy, however, lies in the friendships she cultivated wherever she went. Her magnetic personality and quick wit endeared her to all who crossed her path. Whether sharing stories over a cup of tea in England, savoring a glass of wine in Italy, or enjoying the tranquility of Kansas, Mary’s presence brought joy and laughter to those around her.
Mary leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and adventure. While we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on in the cherished memories we hold dear. Though she may no longer walk among us, her presence will forever be felt in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Emergency Aid Food Bank, Salina.
A celebration of Mary’s extraordinary life will be held at the church. We invite all who knew and loved her to join us in commemorating the beautiful journey of a truly remarkable woman.
Rest in peace, dear Mary. You have touched our lives in ways beyond measure, and your spirit will continue to guide us in the days ahead. Until we meet again, may you find eternal peace in the loving embrace of the heavens above.