My condolences to the family of Lois Collins, who passed away Nov. 4. She and her late husband, Gene, were familiar faces in Saratoga Springs for many years, in part because they owned the Saratoga Downtowner Motel on Broadway for 21 years starting in 1979.
As noted in her obituary (available today at www.saratogian.com, where you can leave message), Lois’s love for local arts and opera were all the richer for her volunteerism and enthusiasm. I knew her as a founding member and guiding light for the Saratoga County chapter of Soroptimist. She poured her heart into the Soroptimist mission on the local, national and international level.
The obituary captured the essence of her personality: "Lois had a way of making people feel at home and comfortable. Her enduring smile, generous nature and positive outlook will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her."
A service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at the Gerald B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, in Schuylerville, where Gene, who died in 2007, is buried. Local arrangements are by the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes (518-584-5373).