Lydia Elizabeth Collins, Bainbridge High Class of 1924

Lydia Elizabeth Collins (1907 - 1979)

Member Bainbridge High School Class of 1924

 

 

Lydia Elizabeth Collins, Age 16

 

"Of our fair town - a life-long resident

Of the Senior Class - its active president"

 

Lydia Elizabeth Collins was born 30 October 1907, in Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York the daughter of Hugh Edwin and Jennie (Cook) Collins.  Her father was born in England 1 December 1882 and immigrated to the United States in 1900 when he was about 17 years of age.  He became a naturalized citizen in 1911.   Hugh Collins and Jennie Cook were married prior to 1905 when they are found in Bainbridge living with Jennie's parents (George and Carrie Cook).   He was employed for many years at the American Separator Company and was very active in the Masonic organization. 

 

Following Lydia Collins' graduation from Bainbridge High School in 1924, she attended Oneonta Normal School and Columbia University where she received teacher's training.  On 22 August 1934 when she was 26 years of age she married Roland Bentley Andrews, also a member of the BHS class of 1924.  Their family included two daughters (Caroline, Linda).  They lived in Binghamton, Broome Co., NY where Roland was employed by IBM and Lydia was a school teacher.  She was very active in church and community activities, frequently holding leadership positions in the organizations she participated in.  Roland and Lydia had been married 44 years when she died in Binghamton, Broome Co., NY 4 May 1979 at the age of 71 years.  Her husband died 16 August 2002, having survived Lydia by 23 years.  Roland and Lydia are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY

 

Birth Announcement

Bainbridge Republican, October 31, 1907

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Collins on Wednesday morning, Oct. 30th, 1907, a daughter, Lydia Elizabeth.

 Engagement Announcement

Binghamton Press, June 11, 1934

Binghamton [Broome Co., NY]:  Lydia Collins, 218 Front street, entertained at a dessert bridge at the Kalurah Country club Saturday afternoon to announce her engagement to Roland B. Andrews of this city.  A lavender, green, yellow and pink color motif dominated in the table appointments.  Bachelor button and rose favors concealed the names of the affianced couple.

 

Marriage Announcement

Sidney Record, August 23, 1934

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Miss  Lydia Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh E. Collins of West Main street, became the bride of Roland Bentley Andrews of Binghamton, son of George Andrews of this village, in St. Peter's church this morning.  The Rev. Bradford Tite performed the ceremony.  The bride was attended by Miss Catherine Brown of Norwich, Conn., and best man was Stanton Kilpatrick of Buffalo.  Miss Janet Juliand of Bainbridge played the wedding march as well as the music preceding the ceremony.  Hotel DeCumber in Sidney was the scene of a breakfast, following the ceremony.  The bride is a graduate of the Bainbridge High School, Oneonta Normal School and Columbia University. The groom was graduated from the Bainbridge High School and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.  He is at present employed at the Vulcan Corporation in Johnson City.  After a motor trip through the New England states, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews will reside at 218 Front street, Binghamton.

 

Obituary

Binghamton Press, May 4, 1979

ANDREWS:  Lydia C. Andrews, 71, of 4661 Vestal Parkway E., Binghamton, died Friday morning at Binghamton General Hospital after a brief illness.  She is survived by her husband, Roland B. Andrews, Binghamton; two daughters, Mrs.  Nick (Linda) Sennott, Tucson, Arizona, and Mrs. Gary (Caroline) O'Connor, Baldwinsville, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Shannon Lydia Sennott, Tucson, Arizona, Douglas and Erin O'Connor, both of Baldwinsville, N.Y.  She was a member of the Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, president of its Tuesday Guild and a member of its Home Bound committee.  She was past President of AAUW, a member of the Monday Afternoon Club, the Greenman Senior Citizens Center and was a former officer of the Churchwomen United.  She was also a former kindergartner teacher in the Binghamton School District.

 

Hugh Collins Named District Masonic Chief

Sidney Enterprise, June 9, 1932

Hugh E. Collins of Bainbridge has been appointed district deputy of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of New York for the Broome-Chenango district, by Christopher C.  Mollenhauer of Brooklyn, grand master.  Mr. Collins was initiated in Susquehanna lodge Bainbridge in 1905.  In 1906 he was elected secretary of the lodge and in 1908 was appointed senior deacon.  He was elected master in 1911.  Mr. Collins is widely known in the Broome-Chenango district, having served as grand lecturer.

Father's Obituary

Bainbridge News, July 28, 1955

Hugh E. Collins, 72, of 57 West Main street, Bainbridge, died Friday night at The Hospital, Sidney.  Mr. Collins was a vestryman of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bainbridge for about 50 years, and a licensed lay reader for some 40 years.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jennie Cook Collins, of Bainbridge, a daughter, Mrs. Lydia Andrews, of Binghamton; two granddaughters, Linda and Caroline Andrews, both of Binghamton; two grandsons, Pfc. Hugh Collins, with the U.S. Army at Virginia and Kent Collins, of Bainbridge; and several cousins.  Services were held at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, Monday at 2 p.m.  The Rev. James E. Wolfe, Bainbridge, officiated. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge....[Note:  He was also survived by his son, Cameron Cook Collins]

 

Sidney Record -Enterprise, April 25, 1957

On Friday, April 26, area masons are meeting in the Masonic Lodge rooms in Bainbridge to dedicate a plaque in memory of Hugh Collins.  All masons are invited to attend this service at 8:30.  Mr. Collins died last year and left behind an unusual record of community service and of Masonic leadership.  He was District deputy Grand Master of the Broome-Chenango District for two terms and was the founder of the Masters Council.

 

Mother's Obituary

Sidney Record & Bainbridge News, October 29, 1959

Mrs. Jennie Cook Collins, 78, of 57 West Main Street, Bainbridge, died Saturday afternoon, October 24, 1959, at her home.  She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Roland B. Andrews of 461 Vestal Road, Binghamton, one son, Cameron C. Collins of Bainbridge, two granddaughters and two grandsons and several cousins. The funeral was from the Harold Sherman Funeral Home, 58 West Main Street, Bainbridge.

 

Binghamton Press, April 19, 1952

 

 

Council Officers:  New officers of the Binghamton Council of Church Women were elcted at the annual luncheon meeting of the organization yesterday at Redeemer Lutheran Church.   Seated left to right:  Mrs. Roland B. Andrews, president; Mrs. Harold Gelser, Vice-president.  Standing:  Mrs. Ernest Rockerfeller, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Urban S. Greene, treasurer; and Mrs. Edgar J. Wood, secretary.