Joelle G. Collins ’93 died on November 29, 2024, in Williamstown. Massachusetts
(The following was provided by The Berkshire Eagele in December 4, 2024:)
Joelle G. Collins ’93
Joelle Geddes Collins, 53 of Williamstown, affectionately known as Ellie, has died. Surrounded by her loving family, with the tender caring support of hospice, Ellie ended her journey at home on Friday, November 29th, concluding a seven-year battle with colon cancer.
The daughter of Robert W Collins and Sharyn Kronick Collins of North Adams, Ellie was born in the US Naval Hospital in Agana Heights, Guam, on January 18, 1971. Following her dad’s naval service the family returned to North Adams and Ellie attended local schools, graduating from Drury High Schol in 1989. She earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1993, then her Juris Doctorate degree from Northeastern Law School, in 1997. Ellie clerked for the Honorable Shane Devine in the US District Court of New Hampshire. She was admitted to the bar in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and concentrated on corporate and real estate law.
She began her career with Devine, Millimet & Branch, PC in Manchester, NH, and had the honor of arguing a case before the New Hampshire Supreme Court that resulted in a favorable judgement. Ellie returned to the Berkshires in 2000 and worked for Cain, Hibbard & Myers, P.C. until 2003. Following the birth of her boys, she joined Parese, Sabin, Smith and Gold, LLP, then returned to Cain Hibbard in 2015, until illness forced her retirement in 2018.
Ellie was an active mom and community volunteer. She was appointed a trustee of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts by acting Governor Jane Swift in 2002 and reappointed by Governor Deval Patrick. She served on the Executive Committee and was chair of the Student Affairs Committee at MCLA until her term ended in 2012. She had been on the Boards of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Leadership Program, and the First Congregational Church. She coached a Cal Ripken baseball team, taught her boys to ski, chaired a few fund-raising golf tournaments for Pine Cobble School, and much more.
Ellie is survived by her sons, William and Benjamin; life partner Corydon Thurston; her parents, Bob and Shari; her sister, Rebecca Polumbo (Gary); nieces Emma and Sarah Polumbo and nephew Josh Polumbo of Williamstown; her aunt, Marilyn Collins Truskowski (Joseph); and cousins Jeff Truskowski (Jennifer) and Brian Truskowski (Michele) and families.
Ellie was predeceased by her grandparents, Irving and Marian Collins and Samuel and Rae Kronick, all from North Adams.