Sharon Collins (née Quick) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday, September 4 due to cancer. She faced the challenge the way she lived: with humor, kindness and, most of all, faith. Her passing leaves an unfillable void. She was 78.

Sharon is survived by her husband Dr. William Collins. Sharon and Bill celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary last month.

Born on December 15, 1944 in Dayton, Ohio, Sharon was the first child of Kenneth and Jean Quick. She grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland and enjoyed spending time with her grandparents and extended family in Strasburg, Virginia.

Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Master of Education in Human Growth and Development from The University of Maryland, College Park.

Sharon married Bill Collins on August 6, 1967. They had four children and, in 1980, the Collins family moved to Severna Park, Maryland.

Over her life, Sharon worked as an elementary school teacher, Associate Professor at Bowie State University, freelance writer and homemaker.

A devout Christian, Sharon was an active member of the Severna Park United Methodist Church. She loved volunteering at the church and serving the community through the Severna Park Assistance Network. She was also a proud member of a community Bible study group.

Sharon always delighted in cooking for her family. She even organized and taught a Chinese cooking course to a local group of friends.

As a freelance writer, Sharon wrote and published two books: "Lite Caio", a beloved Italian cookbook of family recipes; and "That Incredible Christmas - The Rest of the Story", a humorous retelling of the holiday classic "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Sharon enjoyed mornings with a cup of coffee while quickly completing her daily crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed listening to a mystery audiobooks and studying scripture.

In addition to her husband, family pets and dozens of close friends, Sharon is survived by her sister Brenda Lee and her husband Edward Lee of Colorado; her brother Kenneth Quick and his wife Diane Quick of Maryland; her four children, Joanna Peck of New York; Dr. Jennifer Della Rocca and her husband Alex Della Rocca of New York; David Collins and his wife Maguire Collins of Maryland; John Collins and his wife Abbey Collins of New York; and two grandchildren, Margaux and Jocelyn Della Rocca of New York.

Sharon's family and friends will celebrate her life on Saturday, October 14 at 11AM at the Severna Park Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Severna Park United Methodist Church, https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/665911 .