Obituary of Stephanna J. Collins

Stephanna “Stella” J. Collins, 80, of Glen Avenue, Amsterdam, New York passed away on Wednesday December 7, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born in Amsterdam on March 15, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Carmen and Gertrude (Bellows) Surento.

Stella graduated from Amsterdam High School with the class of 1960. After graduating, from high school, she took a job as a bookkeeper at Mohawk Candy and Tobacco in Amsterdam. Stella spent her whole career at Mohawk, and retired after 50 years of service. She also served as an Elections Inspector in Amsterdam for many years.

She was united in marriage to Elton Collins on May 12, 1962. Throughout their 57 years of marriage, the couple enjoyed taking long drives through the Adirondack Mountains, and bowling in the Mix League at the St. John’s Club on Saturdays. Elton passed away on June 6, 2019.

Stella enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she adored. Her loving family includes her children, John (Kelly) Collins of Tivoli, NY, James Collins of Amsterdam, NY, and Kelly (Anthony) Natoli of Perth, NY; her grandchildren, Shawn, Katherine, Daniel, Michael, Nicholas, and Christopher; great-granddaughter, Autumn; her siblings, Sisto (Bonnie) Surento of Fort Johnson, and Rosemarie Surento of Amsterdam; sister-in-law, Gloria Surento of Amsterdam; and also her fur baby Fonzy.

Aside from her her parents and her husband, Stella is predeceased by her brother, Carmen “Shrimpy” Surento, and by her granddaughter, Amy Nicole Collins in 1987.

Friends and Family are invited, and may call on Monday, December 12, 2022, at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010, from 9 until 11 in the morning. Funeral services will follow the calling time at 11 am, at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home with the Very Reverend Father O. Robert DeMartinis, E.V. officiating. Interment will take place in the family plot in St. Michaels Cemetery following services, where she will be laid to rest next to Elton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County SPCA, P.O. Box 484, Amsterdam, NY 12010.