Posted on 04/18/2018
Nancy Falls Collin passed away on April 10, 2018 just shy of her 92nd birthday at Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Center in Plattsburgh, NY where she had resided since suffering a massive stroke over a year ago. Until her stroke she had been living independently for 10 happy years at Lake Forest Senior Living Community where she made the decision to move after her beloved husband, Malcolm Collin's, death in 2002. Nancy was born on April 27, 1926, the youngest child of Iva (Pursley) and W. Howard Falls of Gastonia, NC. She is survived by her 5 children and their partners, Carol Little ( George) of Hartland, VT, David Collin (Barbara) of Morrisonville, NY, Michael Collin (Doris Hunter) of Plattsburgh, NY, Shelley Boone of Huntington Beach, CA and Mark Collin ( Patty) of North Hampton, NH. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren & her sister-inlaw, Rachel Falls of York, SC. In addition to her husband she is predeceased by her 4 siblings, Lorenna Upchurch, Howard, Robert and David Falls; her grandson, Brendan Allan (Shelley) and daughter-in-law, Lisa Collin (Michael.) Nancy met her Vermont born, Naval Academy ensign, love of her life, Malcolm, in the summer of 1944 at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, VT, where she had come to spend the summer working as a waitress between years at Erskine College, Due West, SC. She and Malcolm were married on August 30,1945, just before the end of WW2. Their first 2 children were born while Malcolm was on active military duty. They moved to Plattsburgh in 1949 following his discharge from the US Navy & made their home for most of those years in West Plattsburgh in a house that she designed and they built together. Nancy and Malcolm were active, engaged partners in life, sharing their joys, supporting each other in their trials and striving with abiding love to raise 5 happy, secure and confident children. In the mid 1950s they scouted out the location for the still operating nonprofit community Beartown Ski Area. The Viking Ski Shop, which started in their home and moved to its present location in 1965, would not have succeeded without her managerial skills, vision and determination. While Malcolm continued to work full time at what became Georgia Pacific and then at SUNY Plattsburgh, this Southern Belle clearly ran the ski business! Her commitment to getting things done, today and not tomorrow, were a defining quality to the end. Nancy was supported throughout her long life by a strong religious faith with membership in the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh. She held nearly every position of service and leadership in the church, including serving as a delegate to the General Assembly, moderator of the Synod, Clerk of Sessions and cochair of the Presbyterian Women's Christmas Tea and Bazaar for many years. At Lake Forest she enthusiastically contributed to the life of that community. In her last year when independence eluded her ( but never left completely ) she is remembered for her sense of humor & social graciousness. She enjoyed the attention from staff at Meadowbrook and never failed to thank them for their care. She greeted family & loyal friends with a smile & a sparkle in her eyes. We are grateful to Phil Wallace for his hours of cheerful companionship. She gave us the gift of time to say goodbye and to be at peace with her passing. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of her long & rich life will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 3:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church with a gathering in the church fellowship hall following. Contributions in Nancy's memory can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Brinkerhoff St., Plattsburgh, NY or Beartown Ski Area, P.O. Box 2702, Plattsburgh, NY. To share a photo, story, or condolence with Nancy's family, please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com . Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.
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