Obituary of Molly Collins

Molly Collins, 88, of Ashburn, VA passed away on May 10, 2023. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Amalia B. Espinoza was born to Toribio and Lorenza Espinoza in Black Lake, New Mexico on August 29, 1934, the 8th of twelve children. 

She is survived by her daughter, Geri Lightburn of Arlington, VA; her 5 grandchildren, Patrick (Sarah) Morrisette of Fairfax, VA, Stacy (Jake) Heinbaugh of Ashburn, VA, Lisa (Javier) Pluta of West Roxbury, MA, Kevin Morrisette of Denver, CO, and Scott Morrisette of Washington, DC; her 5 great grandchildren, Alessandra Pluta, Cora Heinbaugh, Christelle Pluta, JT Heinbaugh, Rhett Heinbaugh; and 2 of her siblings, Lourdes ‘Toots’ LaFavor of Bosque Farms, NM and Isabel ‘AnDee’ Espinoza of Carson City, NV.  

Molly was raised on a ranch in Northern New Mexico.  After graduating from high school in Taos, NM, Molly enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany as a WAC (Women’s Army Corp) from 1953 thru 1956.  While serving in Germany she met her future husband, Paul Collins. After returning to the U.S., Paul and Molly were married in 1956 in San Fransisco, CA and welcomed their daughter Geri in 1958. Five years later they moved to the Los Angeles area.  After Paul’s death in 1999, Molly retired from her position of secretary for the  Montebello school district and moved to Virginia to be with Geri and the grandchildren.  

Molly was always busy.  She was an avid bowler for most of her life.  She loved playing cards - poker, pinochle, bridge, Rummikub to name a few.  

Shortly after moving to Virginia, Geri’s husband, Bill, passed away.  Molly was at Geri’s house most days helping with the kids, the laundry, the ironing, anything she felt needed to be done. 

Crafting was always a part of her life.  Once long ago it was plastic fruit arrangements.  For years it was hair bows - she made thousands and sold them at craft fairs as well as to friends and family.  And of course her granddaughters, Stacy and Lisa, were never without a bow in their hair.  

After she moved to Virginia, Molly took up quilting.  She was a perfectionist.  ‘Look at these corners’ she’d proudly proclaim.  Quilts, quilted placemats, quilted coasters, quilted table runners, sock monkeys and her famous Ashby Ponds ledge mats are just a few of the things she made.  

Molly travelled the world - with Paul for many years and then with a great group of friends after Paul passed away.   She visited many parts of the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America on cruise boats and trains and planes.  If you asked Molly to go, she was ready and willing.  

She lived at Ashby Ponds, a senior living community, for the past 15 years and made the most of her time there.   She participated in everything from bocce ball (the Ashby Rollers) and corn hole to the Ashby Ponds Olympics and even karate.  She had many friends and was loved by all.  

We are grateful that Molly enjoyed a long and happy life and pray that we all continue her legacy of creativity, kindness and generosity.