JOHNSTON, Iowa — The first female and first lay diocesan superintendent of schools, Sister Ann Therese Collins, CHM, 96, died Feb. 26 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center.
Patricia Jeanine Collins was born April 6, 1920, in Des Moines to Edward and Theresa Bongers Collins. In 1942 she entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, professing vows in 1944 as Sister Mary Ann Therese.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Marycrest College in Davenport and her Master of Science degree at Creighton University in Omaha with post-graduate work at 10 universities.
Her teaching ministry in Iowa high schools included St. Joseph, Dunlap; Catholic Central, Ottumwa; St. Joseph, Fort Madison; St. Joseph, Neola; St. Albert, Council Bluffs. She also taught in Montana at Catholic Central High School, Great Falls, and St. Leo in Lewistown.
Sr. Collins served as Davenport Diocesan Superintendent of Schools and was a member of numerous boards and committees. She was vice-president, then president, of her congregation, serving from 1970-84. Sr. Collins also was interim president of Marycrest College from 1985-86.
In 1987 she retired to the Humility of Mary Center, but continued to teach Latin part-time at Assumption High School, assist at the Center for Active Seniors Inc. (CASI) and tutor at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, all in Davenport.
In 2014, she moved to Bishop Drumm where she resided until her death.
Visitation was held at Bishop Drumm, Our Lady of Peace Chapel, and at the Humility of Mary Center in Davenport. Her funeral was held March 4, with burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.
Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
