Sister Roberta Collins

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie announce the peaceful death of Sister Roberta Collins, October 11, 2024.  Sister Roberta was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Robert and Helen (Donnelly) Collins, the eldest of five children.  She is predeceased by her siblings and their spouses: Richard (Jackie) John, Robert Donald, Marney (Bob) Cristello.   She is survived by her sister Helen Ann Collins, and nieces and nephews, Robert Cristello, Fran Heaton, and Roberta Chiarello.  She is also survived by many grand nieces and nephews.

Roberta entered the Congregation of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie on February 9, 1949 from Precious Blood Cathedral Parish, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Sister Roberta ministered in the Catholic Elementary School System as teacher of all grade levels and as a principal in North Bay, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Elliot Lake.  She co-wrote the “Spelling and Language Arts, Grade 4 Teachers’ Edition” textbook.  Roberta was also a gifted and qualified pianist and vocal music supervisor.

Following a discernment process, Sister Roberta withdrew from the Congregation in 1965 to respond to family needs. For the next two years she taught in Port Colborne.

From 1967 to 1983 her life took a new direction.  She utilized her considerable administrative skills at Leon Furniture head office in Toronto where she served as a member of the Senior Management Team.  The Leon family embraced Roberta as one of their own.  From 1983-1986 Roberta, employed by Reflection Furniture Industries, was remembered as an energetic and diligent administrator.

Roberta maintained her CSJ charism of unity and reconciliation in her spiritual journey through ongoing spiritual direction and retreats at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Guelph during this time. She also ministered with the Sisters of St Joseph, Toronto, helping the poor in St. James Square.

When Roberta retired she returned to Sault Ste. Marie. In 1992 she became a CSJ Associate and was later hired in 2004 to be the Administrative Assistant at Shalom House of Prayer. This began her journey back into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, where she was received in 2008 following a mutual discernment process.

She continued her ministry at Shalom House of Prayer until her election to the Leadership Team and her appointment as General Treasurer of the Congregation from 2014 to 2018.

Sister Roberta retired to Sault Ste. Marie until returning in 2023 to the Motherhouse Infirmary Community.

Sister Roberta had a life long devotion to the Eucharist.  She will also be remembered for her love of creation especially her four legged companions Angus, Max, Speck, and Gracie and for her kindness especially for persons living on the margins.   

 Sister Roberta will be received at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 17, 2024.  Prayer Vigil will follow at 4:00 p.m.  Mass of the Resurrection, St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, on Friday, October 18, 2024 beginning with closing prayers at 10:50 a.m. followed by Liturgy at 11:00 a.m.

Expressions of sympathy or donations to the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Roberta Collins may be made at https://www.csjssm.ca/donate-now

Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca