Gloucester - Mary Ann Collins passed away on the evening of March 5, 2026, after a long illness. Mary Ann was born in Gloucester on September 1, 1960, to Edwin F. Collins, Sr. and Marilyn (Mazza) Collins. Mary Ann worked at Hogan Regional Center in Danvers and later as a bus monitor for the Gloucester Public Schools. She was a lifelong North Shore resident, splitting time between Beverly, Salem and Gloucester. She spent many years in the company of great friends at Salem Connection (formerly Pioneer House), participating in various outings and activities. Mary Ann was a prolific artist, spending time creating paintings and other artwork that she took great joy in giving to family and friends as gifts. She was a lifelong Patriots fan and spent many summer nights watching the Red Sox with her partner Jim Matthews. She had a well-earned reputation as the "fun" aunt to her many nieces and nephews, spending time with them and letting them do literally whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, as long as the police weren't called, and any injuries could be cured with a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese. She also adored her great-nieces and nephew, who she did her very best to spoil rotten at every opportunity. Spending time with family, especially around the holidays, was the highlight of her year. Showering her nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews with gifts...and desserts when their parents weren't looking. She is predeceased by her parents Edwin F. Collins, Sr. and Marilyn (Mazza) Collins, her brother Edwin F. Collins, Jr., and her longtime companion James Matthews. She is survived by her siblings Linda Ellis and her husband Kent, Karen Mackey and her husband Tom, John Collins and his wife Maureen, Darren Collins and his partner Sarah Gray, her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews (hold on, it's a long list): Patrick Ellis and his partner Carrie Huntley, Nicholas and Michelle Ellis and their daughters Vera and Rose, Krysta Collins and her children Lola and Bronson, Thomas Mackey and his partner Lauren Sutherland, Jeffrey and Emily Mackey and their daughter Charlotte, Alex Mackey and his partner Jolene Thomas, Daniel and Kayla Mackey, Nathan Collins, Emily and Jimmy Towey, Samantha Collins, Michael Collins and Hannah Collins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ECHS/Salem Connections, 50 Grove Street, Salem MA 01970. https://salemconnections.org/donate/

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday April 12, at 11 A.M. at the Gloucester Fraternity Club at 27 Webster Street, Gloucester, MA.