Meaghan Collins as a senior at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette. Photo courtesy of Regina Dominican High School.
NORTHBROOK — Ten members of the Regina Dominican High School class of 1996 wanted a special time to remember classmate Meaghan Mary Collins before going to her funeral Feb. 5 at St. Norbert Church in Northbrook.
Collins was afflicted by facioscapulohumeral, a progressive form of muscular dystrophy, since she was in fifth grade and confined to a wheel chair, according to a 1995 Chicago Tribune article. She died Jan. 30 at age 37.
The 10 Regina classmates gathered in the chapel of the school for a memorial service and were soon joined by two of Collins’ former teachers, Sister Marion O’Connor, who taught her social studies, and Verna Allworth, an English teacher.
“She had exceptional grace and courage. It was unusual to see that kind of feeling in such a young woman. She had the best spirit that drew people to her,” Allworth said. “They were telling stories about what they remembered,” she added describing the service.
“They came back to Regina where they remember her where their friendship began,” Allworth said.
The classmates reached out to Regina because they wanted to hold a service in the chapel before going to the funeral, according to Diane Garvey, the school’s alumnae director.
O’Connor said she remembers a student who was always prepared for class the minute the bell rang despite the fact it was harder for her to move around than it was for the other students.
“She was a very good student,” O’Connor said. “She always had her book and pencil out and anything else she needed.
“She was an excellent student, a very hard worker,” said Mike Small, the school’s athletic director at the time who is now retired.
It wasn’t just academic prowess that made her special, O’Connor said, it was her attitude toward others.
“She was very gentle, one of a kind,” O’Connor said. “She was very compassionate. If someone needed a pen or a pencil she would be the first to give it to them.”
Collins had a twin sister, Maureen Collins, who was another member of the Regina class of 1996. Maureen Collins was a standout basketball player, according to Small. Meaghan Collins was part of the team too.
“She was the best manager we ever had here,” said Small, who was at Regina for 37 years. “She was very conscientious and very helpful despite her illness. She was always there to help whoever needed assistance.”
In addition to her twin, Meaghan Collins is survived by her parents, Philip and Deirdre, nee Murray, and siblings Thomas (Staci) McGurn, Brian (Katie) McGurn and Michele (Michael) Keating.