Margherita "Marge" Priore Collis
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Margherita "Marge" Priore Collis, 74, of Whitesboro, went home to the Lord and all the loved ones who went before her, when she passed away unexpectedly April 19, 2022.
She was born May 26, 1947, in Utica, daughter of the late Salvatore and Mary (Alberico) Priore. She graduated with high honors at Proctor High School Class of 1965 and went on to graduate as a Registered Nurse from the Utica State Hospital School of Nursing, from which she maintained many close friendships. She began her working career as an RN at St. Luke's Hospital in the Allen Calder Unit until she became a stay-at-home mother dedicated to her three children.
She was a member of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, Beta Sigma Phi, and the Red Hat Society.
Margherita loved traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. She also has many dear friends that she enjoyed getting together with. Broadway Utica shows were one of her favorite nights out and she rarely missed a show as a longtime subscriber. Everyone who knew her, loved her. She was a sweet, kind soul with a heart of gold.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and dedicated her life to caring for her family. As the first born of 9 children, Margherita's maternal instincts began in her early teens as she helped her family stepping up as necessary in a motherly role to her younger siblings.
Margherita is survived by her husband of 53 years, John A. Collis, who she married on June 7, 1968, in Utica; her children Susan Collis Connelly and her husband William of Concord NC, Michelle Collis Gaspa of Whitesboro and John F. Collis and his wife April of Whitesboro; her beloved grandchildren to whom she was "Grandma Honey", Cassandra and Brooke Connelly, Nicholas, Ryan and Morgan Gaspa and Isabella and Norah Collis; her siblings RosaLinde Priore of Whitesboro, Leonarda Priore and Tom Brigandi of Syracuse, Salvatore and Jacqueline Priore of Altamont, NY, Anthony Priore and the late Christine of Albany, Joseph and Deborah Priore of Utica; her sisters and brothers-in-law Mary Gossin Priore of Utica; Janice Collis Fratangelo and her husband Pasquale of Syracuse; James Collis and his wife Donna of Whitesboro; the late Howard Collis and his wife Marilyn of Monroe, CT; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, many beloved cousins; her aunt Ermelinda Lewis and the late Congetta DiPierro. She was also blessed with many wonderful friendships. She was predeceased by her sister Palma Priore Kerber; her brothers Nicholas S. Priore and Daniel Priore.
The family wishes to thank the Whitestown Police Department, New York Mills Fire Department and the Central Oneida Volunteer Ambulance Corps for all of their help.
Calling hours are on Sunday from 2-5 PM at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 PM at St. Mary of Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, 648 Jay St., Utica, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in West Schuyler Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Margherita's memory.
Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com