Laura M. Collins was born in Englewood, NJ on July 10th, 1970, daughter of Milton and Elizabeth Gunther, and youngest sister to Lisa and Christine. Throughout her childhood, she was energetic and playful, developing a love for arts, sports, and hanging out with her close friends. Her family moved to northern Texas while she was in middle school, and after graduating from Plano High School near Dallas, she attended the same college as her sisters—the University of Texas at Austin. However, while her father and sisters opted for professions in the fields of accounting, Laura was drawn to teaching. After graduation, she rekindled a relationship with a friend from her New Jersey days, and shortly thereafter married him: the love of her life, Byron Collins. Byron was a college lacrosse coach, so they moved several times throughout the northeast, living in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and eventually settled for a time outside of Detroit, Michigan. Along the way, Laura and Byron raised four beautiful children, and it was clear that being a mother and a wife were always the most important thing in her life.

Laura and her family ultimately ended up back where they started—in their beloved childhood home of Long Valley, NJ, where Laura took up teaching again. As a teacher, Laura had a natural empathy for, and bond with, her students. As childhood friend Cathy J. recalls, Laura was “the greatest storyteller, yet an even better listener. She made you feel like what you were saying was the most important thing at that moment. She had this ability to feel your emotions, and was the very best friend and confidant.” Another friend (and another “Laura”) agreed, saying that Laura “went above and beyond with each student to provide the exact help they needed…I guarantee every one of her students not only remembers her, but would say she made a big impact on their lives.”

After being diagnosed with glioblastoma in late 2022, Laura continued teaching for as long as she was able, but eventually had to focus on treatments and her health overall. If there could ever be a silver lining to something as devastating as brain cancer, it would be the outpouring of love Laura’s wide circle showed in the months that followed. Beyond plenty of caring family members and friends, this circle included students, parents of students, Byron’s lacrosse teams’ players and parents, childhood friends, neighbors, friends of friends, and so on. Scores of people donated incredible financial help, countless meals, hundreds of rides, hours and hours of “just being there,” and too many intangibles to describe. This truly was all of the affection and dedication Laura had given to others over the years coming back to her, amplified beyond measure. For this, Laura and her family could never express their gratitude sufficiently—but the genuine love shown to her and all of the Collins helped fuel the fire inside of her which sustained her health and joy over the last many months.

When you think of Laura, choose your own memories, of course (and please consider sharing some of these elsewhere on this website)—but also don’t forget the way she was before her 21-month battle with cancer. Her friend Laura M. immediately recalls Laura’s “huge smile, sparkly mischievous eye, baggy comfortable clothes (but with great style!)”…and that she was “wise, witty, loving, and interested…a dedicated mother, friend, and teacher.”

Without a doubt, Laura’s smart wit, dry humor, infectious laugh, and unmissable spark are things none of us will forget. She is survived by her husband Byron, her three daughters Bailey, Elle, and Meg, and her son Gavin.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for those in need at both lvhopes.org or https://stlukeparishlv.com/electronic-giving\

There will be a Catholic Mass at St Luke’s Parish at 265 West Mill Rd, Long Valley, NJ on Monday September 16th at 10:30am, and a larger “Celebration of Life” gathering later—most likely in mid-December, also in Long Valley (specific location TBD), for those who wish to gather together in honor of Laura.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown NJ 07840.  Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com/