Mildred R. Collins' Obituary
Mildred Ruvinsky Collins was a child of Russian Jewish Immigrants who was born and raised in Brooklyn New York.
She was a pharmacist’s and nurses daughter who was born premature weighing 2 pounds. She was a beloved wife of 63 years, a mother, grandmother and true friend. Everybody who knew her admired her. She died suddenly on September 30, 2016. . She was extremely intolerant of racial and gender inequality. A true activist as well. Some instances to include:
In 1967, She was a poll watcher with the League of WomenVoters in Albany, New York where she witnessed people being paid to vote under the Mayor Erastus Corning’ Political Machine. She reported the incident. As a result, she was harassed by the District Attorney’s Office and then testified before the Grand Jury.
When Martin Luther King was killed, my father attended the funeral in Atlanta while we stayed back and marched.
She was quite an accomplished woman. She retired as Director of Social Services from the Dade County Health Department. During her tenure, She wrote a grant and received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to establish school based clinics in the Dade County School System that have been implemented.
She also a supervisor of the Dade County Child Abuse Treatment Program. (The only unit of its kind). She received lots of flack and triumphed over adversity. However, Judge William Gladstone was her greatest ally who fought for her program and won each time!
On the personal side, she was a talented interior designer. She loved elephants and was very concerned about their plight as they are being poached for ivory.
She was a talented musician as she played piano and cello; Passionate for classical music; an avid reader, and loved talking politics.
She is survived by her husband, Richard B. Collins, her son Mark Kenneth Collins, her daughter June Eleanor Collins, and grandson Mark William Collins and wife Carrie Collins, as well as many cousins and relatives.
Funeral services will be held on October 27, 2016 at 10:30 am at Levitt Weinstein 18840 West Dixie Hwy. North Miami Beach, FL; followed by Graveside Services at Lakeside Memorial Park 10301 NW 25 Street, Miami. FL.
Funeral to be officiated by Cantor Irving Shulkes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate to the Weizmann Institute of Science, Southern Poverty Law Center, and/or Save the Elephants. Following interment the family will be gathering at 2315 NE 191 Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33180 (305) 932-8296.
What’s your fondest memory of Mildred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mildred?
Share a story where Mildred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mildred you’ll never forget.
How did Mildred make you smile?
