Ella C. Collins Obituary (1918 - 2010)

Ella C. Collins, affectionately known as "Babs" of West Orange, New Jersey passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 in Livingston, New Jersey. Graveside Services will be held in the Hemlock Section of Restland Memorial Park, 77 DeForest Avenue, East Hanover, NJ on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11AM. To send condolences or for more information, please visit Prout Funeral Home at www.proutfuneralhome.com. Babs was born on September 13, 1918 in Orange, NJ to the late Viola and Walter Carle. Babs was graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1936. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Education Degrees from Upsala College. She was a member of the Alpha Omnicrom Pi sorority. She was a retired High School math teacher in Milburn High School and Fair Lawn High School and was a member of the New Jersey Education Association. Babs also served as a Trustee for the Bonnie Brae Foundation. Babs had a passionate love for the game of golf. She was an active member of the Rock Spring Club for 60 years, where she served on multiple committees and chaired the Women's Rules Committee and the annual Invitational Tournament. She was dedicated to the wonderful game of golf. She served on many New Jersey State Golf Association committees and on the USGA Rules Committee. She organized the Women's New Jersey Golf Association Tournament, served as the Tournament's Chairwoman and later as its President. For many years, she served as representative to the Women's Metropolitan Golf Association. Her specialty was in the area of rules where she knew every rule of golf and always advocated that the adherence to these golf rules made one better and more productive in life. Babs won the Low-Net at the Pinehurst North/South Invitational Tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina. She and her beloved husband, Warren, had the distinction of winning the NJSGA First Mixed Pinehurst Championship in 1967. She was honored as the first Woman of the Year by Rock Spring Club Women's Association and the Annual Babs Collins Crystal Cup Tournament was established in her honor, where all the women in the Club still compete for this coveted prize. Babs' great passion in golf was the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation. She recognized the importance of education as the most precious gift for young men and women. Her generosity was unlimited for the Caddie Scholarship Program. The NJSGA honored Babs and Warren with its initial and permanent Lifetime Club award for their support and generous contributions for over 50 years to the Caddie Scholarship Program. Thousands of Caddie Scholarship recipients benefitted not only from their generosity but from her absolute love of the wonderful game of golf. Babs was an inspiration to all. Her selflessness, kindness and generosity were enjoyed by all those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her. She was truly a vibrant and elegant woman who was admired and respected by everyone. Babs' memory will be forever treasured by her family and friends. Surviving is her loving husband of 67 years, Warren D. Collins. Babs was the sister of the late Walter D. Carle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Babs' memory to the NJ State Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Foundation, 1700 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033.