Irene Collins passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 30, 2023 in Wilmington. She was the daughter of Samuel and Anna Klimuc. .She was not ill and her love of beauty allowed her to enjoy every moment of her nearly 95 years.
She was born in 1929 and lived all her life in Wilmington. She was educated at Wilmington High School and at Goldey Beacom College.
She married her beloved Jim (James A Collins) in 1952, and they lived happily together for 50 years, until his death in 2002.
She was employed at TWA before moving to the Advertising Department of the then DuPont Company, from which she retired after 24 years.
She spent most of her free time maintaining their elegant home, supporting her husband in his burgeoning art career, and documenting his many inventions. There were frequent
trips to the Chesapeake Bay area art galleries to exhibit Jim’s oil paintings.
She took great pride in keeping and running Their household of carefully curated antiques. Both she and her husband enjoyed attending estate sales and fine arts auctions,
to pursue their interest in significant period pieces. In their first home, Irene enjoyed entertaining in the stone addition Jim created. And more recently, he constructed a patio for summertime gatherings. They both loved to play card games with family.
She is survived by seven nieces and nephews and growing numbers of their own families.
Services will be private as well as the Interment at Cathedral Cemetery, Queen of the Apostles Crypt, where she will
be laid to rest next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Compassionate Care Hospice of Wilmington are encouraged.
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