Judith Bowman Collins

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Judith Bowman Collins. She has boarded her forever cruise in paradise. Judy was born on September 14, 1934 in Elmira, New York. She passed away on January 16, 2025 in her home in Irvine, California.

In her youth Judy loved relaxing at Keuka Lake in upstate New York, where her family had a lakefront vacation home. There she was an accomplished water skier, boater and swimmer. She also enjoyed snow skiing in the winter.

After graduation from Elmira Free Academy High School, Judy attended the Arnot Odgen Medical Center School of Nursing, graduating with the class of 1955. As a twenty year old Registered Nurse (RN), she began her career in New York working for an ophthalmologist. In the late 1960’s, Judy and her new husband, Frank, relocated to California where she worked for the remainder of her career at Kaiser Permanente as an operating room nurse.

Judy was a lifelong lover of travel. She enjoyed relaxing and seeing new places while taking cruises around the world. Camping was a frequent and fun activity shared with her husband and three children. Judy also enjoyed golfing in her free time and she cherished the friendships she made as a longtime member of the Elks Emblem Club.

In her retirement on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays she played a mean game of cards, which she frequently won. Thursdays were reserved for getting hair and nails done. 

Judy is survived by her husband of 56 years Frank M. Collins, daughter Christina Taft (Paul), sons Kevin Collins, and Michael Collins (Joyce) and grandchildren Matthew Hider, Kaylie Collins, Alaina Collins and Annalise Collins and her many nieces and nephews. All of whom she loved very much.