- Date Of Birth: September 3, 1939
- Date Of Death: December 29, 2017
- State: Colorado
Virginia Ellen Collins, lovingly know as Penny, was born September 3, 1939 to Charles and Alleen Downing in Denver, CO. She attended Denver Public Schools and graduated from East High School in 1957. Upon graduating, Penny moved to Los Angeles, CA to start a new life. She met her future husband, Earl Eugene Collins soon after her arrival. After dating for a short time, they were married on April 19, 1959. During their forty-three years marriage, they had three sons and a daughter. Penny loved her husband and children dearly and was very passionate about raising her family. She also had a desire to work outside the home which led her to obtaining a job at JPL for 15 years. She enjoyed working there until she was struck with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although Penny suffered with this disease the majority of her adult life, her deep spiritual connection with God and her loving and supportive family, kept her spirits high and gave her the courage to manage her illness and enjoy life. Penny loved dogs and being creative. Her room was full of bright pictures that she had colored and had an ever-growing bracelet collection. She enjoyed watching TV and the latest movies which were made even better if she had some Chinese Food (a Happy Family with extra shrimp and cheese wontons to be specific) to chow down on! Penny was funny, sassy and charismatic, and never afraid to speak her mind and say what she wanted. Penny’s life was not always easy, but she was ever resilient. Though she was happy here on earth, she felt it was her time to go be with our Heavenly Father.
