Solfrid Cecilie Collins, December 10, 1942 to June 12, 2025
Solfrid Cecilie Collins, age 82, died peacefully in her home, with her beloved son by her side, in North Reading, Massachusetts on June 12, 2025. Solfrid, originally of Hitra, an island in Norway, attended High School in Hitra and the Fosen Folkehøgskole (a crafts school) in Rissa, Norway. After immigrating to the United States she worked as an au pair and as a bookkeeper at various businesses. In 1966, Solfrid married Dennis Collins, a NASA engineer, who she met at The Bavarian, a bawdy German beer hall in Washington, D.C., where she danced with Dennis to an Oom-pah band. The couple settled in North Reading, where Solfrid set to work creating a cozy and loving home for her family. Solfrid and Dennis went on to have a son, Brendan and a daughter, Britt. In her later years, she joyfully cared for (and spoiled) her five grandchildren and shared her Norwegian customs with them. She also tirelessly cared for Dennis in his later years when he fell ill, allowing him to stay in his beloved home.
Solfrid had a fierce commitment to her family, a wicked sense of humor and a tremendous sense of fun. She adored caring for her extended family; bringing her grandchildren on many adventures; taking care of them when they were ill, and; making them delicious home-cooked meals (often-times personally delivered to their door). She was charitable, generous with her time and her love and considered caring for others to be her life’s work. She loved nature, and, as an island-born girl, was happiest by the sea. She enjoyed long walks in the woods with her family, her dog, Nosey and her granddog, Sasha. She loved to entertain and to share her Norwegian traditions with family and friends.
Solfrid was an accomplished oil painter who gravitated towards bright colors and seascapes. She gardened until her last days, knitted elaborate Norwegian patterns, cooked feasts and baked too many cakes. Her sense of adventure took her downhill skiing (when she had only skied cross-country), sailboat racing (after deceptively telling Dennis that she knew how to sail), fishing and going, really anywhere, as long as she was with family. She was an ever-patient photographer’s assistant to her beloved husband, Dennis. She created elaborate holiday feasts steeped in tradition and hosted joyful birthday dinners (complete with Norwegian Bløtkake) for all her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time in Norway, her beloved homeland.
Solfrid is survived by her son, Brendan Collins, daughter, Britt Collins and brother Egil Svalgress. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Boden Mennis, Donovan Mennis, Sophia Collins, Aidan Collins and Rachel Collins, her daughter-in-law, Rosaleen Dillon, son-in-law, Gregory Mennis and her nephews, Rune Svalgress and Arild Svalgress.
Solfrid is predeceased by her husband of 54-years, Dennis Collins, her mother, Ruth Svalgress, her father, Harald Svalgress and her brother, Rolf Svalgress.
Måtte Solfrid hvile i fred med sin elskede ektemann, Dennis. (Translation: May Solfrid rest in peace with her beloved husband, Dennis.)
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 6 PM. Funeral service and interment will be private. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of arrangements.
www.croswellfuneralhome.com