Celebrating the Life of
Elizabeth Collins
July 12, 1965 — August 26, 2024
Obituary
Elizabeth Lee Collins, 59, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on August 26, 2024. Born on July 12, 1965, in Havana, Cuba, she was a true beacon of light and love. She is preceded in death by her mother Georgina Muñoz and her brother Joseph William Borges. She is Survived by loving family members; Her sister Isis Hisgen, her Aunt Mercedes Proenza, Her cousin Jeranny Proenza, her cousin Michael Proenza, and his wife Mirtha Proenza, her Nephews Peter Proenze and Cesare Sandoval, her nieces Mercy Proenze and Lisette Hisgen, her brother Erick Salermo and her life partner Allen Gilbert.
Elizabeth moved with her Mom to Queens, NY as a child and spent her early years there until they moved to Miami Beach, FL. There Elizabeth cared for her mother until her passing. Elizabeth’s path eventually led her to Charlotte, NC
She graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Education Degree from Belmont Abbey College in 2011 and was inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society as well as Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society. This event delivered on a promise she had made to her mother.
Elizabeth was a devout Catholic and an active member of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Charlotte, NC. Her faith deeply influenced her life and work, particularly through her online ministries, where she nurtured a community of nearly a million worshippers sharing prayers, hope and love. Elizabeth's commitment to her faith was evident in every aspect of her life. Her favorite Saint was Saint Francis.
Beyond her religious and educational endeavors, Elizabeth had a profound love for all living creatures. Known for her compassionate heart, she took joy in caring for animals, or critters, as she would call them. From her beloved cats and dog to feeding squirrels, and birds, and even hand-feeding the racoons in her neighborhood, Elizabeth would make sure they all had plenty of food and water.
Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with family. Whether it was the holidays or birthdays, she loved going out to restaurants and celebrating with others. Her favorite place to go was the Asian Buffet and she loved sushi.
She enjoyed frequent vacations to the beach with Allen, where her happiest moments were spent sitting in a hot tub overlooking the ocean or feeding the Seagulls as they hovered over her head. She also enjoyed looking for seashells and she would see the beauty in every shell no matter how broken or chipped.
Elizabeth loved music of all types. Most recently her favorite was gospel house music. On long road trips, however, her music of choice was always classic disco.
Elizabeth greeted each day with a big bright smile and thanked the Lord for another beautiful day. She loved to tell and hear jokes and her laugh was wonderful and infectious. She brought happiness and joy to everyone she encountered. It was not uncommon for Elizabeth to tell total strangers passing by, "Hello, I Love You, God Bless You!" This was her way. She welcomed all into her world and we are all better off to have been a part of that world. She will always be loved and remain forever in our hearts. Thank you Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's life will be honored with a visitation at McEwen Derita Chapel 6300 Mallard Creek Rd. 28262 Charlotte, NC. September 7th, 2024 1:00-3:00
Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will remain a guiding light for all who knew her.
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Miss you, I appreciate our time together and thank you for all of the life lessons you taught me. I miss you and your animals are doing well. Thank you for everything. Allen
My deepest condolences. I knew Elizabeth when we were in high school at Miami Beach Senior High School. I knew her mom as well. I am truly saddened by the news of her passing. She used to love to sing and had a wonderful personality.
I had taken Elizabeth to a petting zoo. This camel took the feed bucket from Elizabeth's hands. She laughed so hard.
Christmas Party. Elizabeth's spinal surgery had healed well enough we were able to dance together. Such a joy to hold her in my arms and dance with her. She was so excited.
Here we are at a favorite Mexican restaurant where we would meet family to celebrate events or to simply enjoy each other's company. Elizabeth was our family and this made her very happy. She loved the shrimp quesadillas.
Elizabeth loved, loved, loved her Mom Georgina. Her Mom passed when Elizabeth was young and Elizabeth often dreamed of her Mom. They were extremely close and Elizabeth cared for her Mom in her final years. Elizabeth is with Georgina.
This photo was taken at Myrtle Beach playing mini golf. I believe she one this round. Her prize was "all you can eat" crab legs.
I always told Elizabeth she looked great in hats. I love this photo of here wearing a hat we bought at the beach. This is in our back yard on a sunny summer day.
Elizabeth loved her animals. Here she is with one of her cats Mooshoo. She always had a cat named Mooshoo. When one would pass, the next cat we got would be named Mooshoo. She had her own special way of naming her pets.
Elizabeth loved going to dinner and when it was in the budget I loved taking her to the nicest places. She was such a class act and here she is enjoying two lobster tails. Except for sushi, lobster was her ultimate choice. It brought me much joy and happiness to oblige.
Elizabeth loved getting dressed up for special occasions and here she is at a Christmas party. We looked everywhere for the dress she had in her mind and when we found it she was so excited. She is so beautiful.
I love this photo of her blowing out her birthday candles. She loved celebrating her birthday. She would start talking about it a month early and we always made it a very special day for her.
Elizabeth was a devout Catholic. Loved studying and spreading the word and praying for others. I love this photo. Her face shows the pure joy she had as she left Easter service on this day.
This is her face reacting to the Minnie Mouse Birthday cake I bought for her one year. She was blown away.
I bought this Minnie Mouse for her during a trip to attend a Company Christmas party. It had become a tradition to get her a Disney character at Christmas. She also like Winnie the Pooh.
Elizabeth loved Disney and Minnie Mouse. I bought here these Minnie Mouse ears without realizing she had this shirt to wear. We laughed and couldn't wait to take the perfect photo.
Elizabeth at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach riding the Carousel. She was so happy going around and around here. A beautiful moment.
The bright sun could not outshine the smile Elizabeth had.
We would always stay where we had an oceanfront view. We would take our dog Francis and she loved hanging out with him overlooking the waves.
Even if the temperatures were cool she still loved walking along the shore looking for seashells.
She enjoyed having her toes in the sand walking on the beach.
Elizabeth's loved to vacation to the beach. Loved to lounge poolside.
Hi, I know this may be a very big shock, but I have just discovered Elizabeth’s obituary today, and I believe I am her birth daughter, Gina (born Gina Elizabeth Collins) I was born October 25 1995 and placed into foster care when I was a young baby. My parents told me I was adopted from an early age, but recently shared with me all my documents and paperwork from the foster care. I’ve tried several times searching Elizabeth’s name online over the last few years, but have never been able to find anything, so I’m really sad to see that now it is due to her passing. I would love to be connected with her family, if they are interested and would love to learn more about Elizabeth and her life. You can contact me at [email protected]
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