Dianne was a great wife, mother , and grandmother to two amazing children Abigail me and Amelia we all miss her so much it was so sad but she’s In a better place now and not in pain. We love you!

Keith, I would have said this to you, had we met since Diane's passing. These tributes show how Diane was loved; you were so lucky. And if she could speak today, this is what she would whisper to you:

"May you see God's light on the path ahead, when the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear, even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember when the shadows fall, you do not walk alone."

Keith & Nat,
It is with sadness for the two of you that I am writing this note. I will say also that I am expressing my thought with happiness for Dianne.

The hole in your hearts are a wonderful place for the lasting memories you will want to hold on to forever. Today they bring tears but tomorrow they will bring smiles. Today you will both cry together and tomorrow you will laugh together. The process can be painful but it is necessary and I know you will both find comfort in the Lord to help you in your journey.

Dianne is finely at peace. WOW, what a journey. Every painful step was a blessing for each of you in its own way, as it was for Dianne. No one wants to see suffering but in Romans 8:17 it says, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
Dianne is sharing in the glory and may she be an example to us all as to how suffering & pain bring out the best in all of us.

God bless both Keith & Nat and may Dianne's strength one day lead you home to her and Jesus Christ.

As I write this, the eve of Veteran’s Day is upon us. And as the Collins are a military family, I think it is a most appropriate time to express this eulogy to my friend, Dianne Collins. When Dianne met Keith, he was just returning from the war in Vietnam. As Keith and Dianne told me, Dianne went from saying when they met, “I wouldn’t date you if you were the last man on earth”, to marrying Keith and following him to all ends of the earth. And as military wife and also mother to Nat, travel they did. to some of the most beautiful and occasionally dangerous places in the world, for her man was not going anywhere without her.

There is a saying in the military, “Nemo resideo”, or “leave no one behind,” Dianne lived those words with her husband, Keith. For there was no where on earth Keith was going that she and her son Nat were not going.  These words also exemplify Dianne’s strength, conviction, and love for Keith and their family together with Nat. It was a rare love that burned brightly for 47 years.

Dianne was also a loving friend. When I lost my wife, Rose to cancer 10 years ago, Dianne was there to offer help to me with my Daughter, Stephanie who at 10 years old suddenly was without her mother. Dianne along with Keith would call and come and take Stephanie to the park for afternoons and when needed Dianne would also take her for weekends and rain her with love and gifts of understanding as only a woman and mother could. I will forever be thankful to her for the love, compassion, and friendship she showed to my family in a time of need and through out all the years since.

In her passing we are all left with the simple quiet solitude and eternal and ever living memory of Dianne in our soul, our heart and our mind.

The Bible says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Keith and Nat as you are in my prayers, my words cannot express my heartfelt sympathy at the passing of your wife and mother.

May God bless and be close to you.

Keith, Nat & Family

Steve and I were so sad to hear about Dianne passing away. The times I was with her or spoke with her on the phone there was always a smile on her face and in her voice. Never a sad word about what she was going through, though I am sure it was very hard for her, and for you. She was a special lady and will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Dear Keith and family,
I had the honor of meeting Diane almost 5 years ago when she and Keith would shop at Publix. Keith would come and get his lotto while Diane would start the shopping. We had many wonderful conversations and we became very close. The last several months Diane would stop in and do some shopping by herself and she always had positive energy and such a great outlook on life. She always amazed me even with what she was battling. Our last conversation I walked her to her car and she was so excited about moving to Naples with Keith. I, being selfish, will admit I was happy for them but disappointed that I wouldn’t see them anymore. Just a couple weeks later I received a call from Keith she passed. I was shocked. She seemed so good that day. You wouldn’t have even known she was battling a horrible disease. She will be greatly missed. Diane was such a beautiful, warm, and caring person. May she Rest In Peace now. I’m sure she’s looking over you Keith. I still get the pleasure of seeing you from time to time. Love you both. With deepest sympathy, Tina

Dear Keith,Nat and family,we were so sorry to hear of Dianne's passing,
Bill and I send our condolences to all of you, Dianne was quite a wonderful
mother,wife and grandmother, The pictures shown here, you can see the joy with the girls, also with Keith and Nat, She will be greatly missed. We enjoyed your visits back to the Boston area when you got a chance to visit.
We also appreciated the time Dianne spent around the holidays in writing her adventures on beautiful stationary to keep us up to date on everything.
Dianne went through a lot of suffering, but now she is at peace, Keith I know
it won't be easy for you but you did everything you could to help her.
Over time the pain will ease for all of you, Sending our love Bill and Marie

We were so sorry to hear of Dianne's passing. Such a short life for a wonderful lady!

Dianne worked at our printing business in Tampa and was an excellent employee, a real team player. She cared about our customers and was always willing to go the second mile or whatever was needed. I remember her as a cheerful person who willingly did any task, and did it well. She made the workplace a pleasant place to be. We remember her fondly.

So terribly sorry for your loss. Hopefully all the memories of your life together will give you comfort .

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dianne for she was a beautiful person with a beautiful heart and soul. My heart is broken and it hurts for Keith,Nat and family. Her adventures, fun loving personality and kindness will always be treasured. I know she is in the beautiful heaven above with the Lord and my dad, Barbara, and Robert are taking really good care of her as well as other family members. 

Words seem so inadequate when you’re trying to portray a beautiful person with a beautiful soul such as Dianne. Always the optimist,always ready for the fight, and never, ever ready to give up! Tommy and me loved being with both of you in Florida . There is never enough time when you’re spending it with someone you love! We think and talk about Dianne so often and find ourselves always wishing for just one more day that will never come, but, the memories and many laughs that we shared will remain in our hearts and minds forever! God Bless you my brother, and Nat, Jen, and those two wonderful and beautiful grandchildren Abigail and Amelia! God Bless all of Dianne’s family and our sympathies to all of you!

What a special lady! One that I have never and will never forget.  The love I saw between Keith and Dianne is one that was very rare and once in a lifetime. I consider it an honor and privilege to have known her.

We are so happy we got to be with Dianne in her final days. We are already missing those weekend dinners out at the casino and Sonny's bbq. Nothing is the same. What we are thankful for is countless years of friendship that all started with her torn retina and a trip to our office. From then on, we have enjoyed a great 4some of laughter and fun but recently tears. We love you Dianne and we miss you horribly and promise to keep Keith out of trouble if that's even possible.
Lee Ann and Ken Andronico

For all of my High School years, Ms. Collins was like a second mom to me. I remember her practicing piano often and getting hung up between a B and C chord.  Fast forward to this point in life, when now I play piano, and I get hung up between B and C chords.  Every single time, I think of Ms. Collins.  What a great person, who was mother to a great friend and brother, Nat. It was very sad for me hearing this news, and I definitely want to share my little something of how greatly she's impacted my life!

My heart is heavy on learning about Dianne's passing. When my husband, Bruce Broker, and I were in Florida we so enjoyed a stay with them. As a light note I remember a parrot pet.

(Bruce was Diane's uncle, Barb's brother.)

What a beautiful tribute to Dianne! 
Her life was filled with love, travel, contributions and many stories of countries that few will ever visit.
She now enjoys life everlasting with The Lord.
God bless her.

I am truly sorry about Diannes passing,she was a really great sister-inlaw/she had a great sense of humor a fun person to be with made everyone feel welcomed.I know the pain of her passing will take a long time to go away but knowing she is in heaven and pain free may help Keith and Nate and his family get through the pain.God bless her.
Love Marcia and Lenny 

Posted On Behalf Of Marlene Maust

I am so sorry to hear about Dianne. She was such a nice lady and brave for what she went through! I enjoyed all the times we talked when we were down in Florida. I'm sure she will be missed by many. My prayers are with you and your family. Lean on the Lord, that's what helps me get through each day!!  ... Love and God Bless , Marlene Maust

Posted On Behalf Of Coleman Law Firm Members
I can't imagine the depth of your loss Keith, but know that you and your bride are in my prayers... Jeff Coleman

Keith, my deepest sympathy to you on the passing of your wife Dianne. I pray that you will be comforted with the sweet memories that you made together during your marriage, God Bless you and grant you peace...Emily George

Dear Keith, Wishing you comfort, feeling of peace and memories during this difficult time. My condolences.......Livia Di Sciorcia

Keith, My thoughts are with you in this time off loss....Brian York

Dianne, an amazing, smart, fun loving friend. We never heard a complaint even through all the pain and suffering.  A true saint is what she was. She loved her family so very much. Keith and Dianne had this special love for each other, always able to complete each others sentences. We will miss that.
We miss you so very much our dear friend. God Bless you and your family.
Our prayers are with you. Love, Nancy and Frank Chicollo

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Dianne was a strong and sweet lady. I pray the Lord give you and your family comfort and peace.
Dan and Rowena.

Posted On Behalf Of Rich & Cheri Beckham:
We are so sorry about Dianne's passing. She was a loving, caring and sweet person and will be greatly missed by all that knew her and loved her. Know that you are in our love and prayers.  Love Rick & Cheri

Posted On Behalf of MS Joanne Carter:

May memories of times help you through each tomorrow and may God comfort you during these times and always.  Joanne Carter

Posted on Behalf of Mary Adams:

Wishing you God's comfort and peace. So sorry for the loss of Dianne.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son.
With Love, Aunt Mary

What a courageous and inspiring woman! 
Bill and I have been blessed by knowing Diane and Keith. Her sense of humor and loving spirit for all she met and worked with will be sorely missed. We send our love and prayers to Keith, Nat, and Diane’s entire family. 
Jennifer and Dr. Bill

Keith and family:

When I heard the sad news my heart broke. The only comfort I find is in knowing that Diane is a beautiful angel flying high and living eternity pain-free. Although she deserves a good long rest in Heaven, I imagine her not resting, but instead, getting right to work, creating the home that you will one day occupy together. Somebody once said the only thing tougher than a Marine is a Marine’s wife. Tough she was, but also resilient, compassionate, humble, magnanimous, giving, selfless, humorous, loving and so much more. Having seen her volunteer and work during some of the most physically trying times was inspiring. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I just think “Diane wouldn’t complain, she would push on giving her all”. I pray during these most trying times that you and your family find some level of comfort in the memories you have of your beautiful angel. 
Love & Prayers Tara 

While I never had the pleasure of knowing Dianne all that well (Keith kept her hidden from this fellow Marine), I have known Keith over the years, which leads me to conclude Dianne was a Saint.

Not sure how long they were married but I have to believe she rose to sainthood after their tenth anniversary!! Her mission in life was to keep him on the straight and narrow. Dianne was much loved. Semper fi.

We need more humanitarians like Dianne in this world. Her passing leaves a gaping hole of love, compassion, and mutual understanding. Our mandate from her is to fill it. I intend to do so in her memory. Her life was a blessing to all. Everlasting be her memory!

What a lovely tribute to a beautiful lady and a fantastic wife, mother and grandmother - may Dianne's memory truly be eternal and may God's grace and love bring peace and strength to Keith, Nathanial and the rest of Dianne's family to help them to always remember the many wonderful years they shared together along with her laughter and smile that brighten every room she entered. She's just a little further down the road than the rest of us and, certainly, the circle remains unbroken.

Heartfelt wishes of comfort to all for your loss.