Mary Barbour-Collins

Marianna Barbour-Collins, one of four children of James E. Baker and Cora Belle (Johnson) Baker, was born on July 9, 1926 in Geneva, Nebraska. She grew up in York, Nebraska, and Pacific Junction, Iowa where her family moved to when she was five.

Mary and William Cecil Barbour were married on September 29, 1943 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They made their home in the Glenwood area and were blessed with six children, David Leroy, Carolyn Sue, Linda Louise, Edward Lavern, Nancy Jo, and Cheryl Ann. Besides caring for her family, Mary also worked as a Resident Treatment Worker at the Glenwood State Hospital School. She and Bill had been married nearly 32 years when Bill died on April 2, 1975.

Mary and Dennis Donald Collins were married in January of 1978 at the Baptist Church in Glenwood. They had been married nearly 14 years, when Dennis died in December of 1992.

Throughout her lifetime, Mary strived to make a difference for children in need by providing a caring home to 150 children who lived in foster care. Mary also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, and painting.

In December of 2009, Mary moved to the Ambassador Care Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska where she died on December 24, 2010, at the age of 84 years, 5 months, and 15 days.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James and Cora Baker; husbands, Bill Barbour and Dennis Collins; sons, Edward Barbour and infant David Barbour; and brothers, Cecil Baker and James "Bill" Baker.

Mary is survived by her sister Donna Jens of Council Bluffs, IA; her daughters, Carolyn Bartmess and husband Curt of Colonial Beach, VA, Linda Smith of Nebraska City, Nancy Barbour and Cheryl Howard; and daughter-in-law Linda Barbour, all of Glenwood; seven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department.