Grace Ann (Martinelli) Collins, 77, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026 after an extended illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Grace was the youngest of five children. She met the love of her life, John (“Jack”) Collins, while he was a student at Holy Cross. They married 54 years ago, and began building a life together, grounded in love, resilience, family, and community, in Shrewsbury, where they raised their daughter Kimberly and son Michael. They all quickly fell in love with Martha’s Vineyard when friends from Chappaquiddick invited them to come house-sit for the summer. They eventually moved to Menemsha for nearly 20 years, and finally to Aquinnah, where the family remains.
Grace spent much of her life working in human services and caring for others. In later years, she became deeply devoted to the recovery community through AA and Al-Anon. Sponsoring and mentoring others became one of the great purposes and joys of her life.
What made Grace truly unique was her remarkable character — her integrity. She was compassionate yet strong, and her heart overflowed with empathy for others. Through her honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, she helped many people find hope and healing. Even during her final years and illness, Grace remained committed to supporting others in recovery.
Grace found joy in simple things: the ocean, cooking, family gatherings, friendship, and caring for the people she loved. She especially loved Martha’s Vineyard. She delighted in giving her own unofficial up-Island tour, leading family and friends to small beaches, historic inns, art galleries, farmstands, and other beloved hidden gems.
Grace became a beloved presence at the Menemsha Market, where she was known and loved by locals and visitors alike. Some of her happiest moments were spent with her granddaughter Courtney, taking her to Menemsha Beach to collect shells, swim in the ocean, and watch the sunset. She could often be found swimming far out between the buoys in Menemsha in her wetsuit, much to the nervous concern of her children, who joked she looked like a seal. Grace bravely took up scuba diving in her 50s because of her deep love for the sea. She spent decades diving throughout the Caribbean with Jack, his siblings, in-laws, and other family and friends.
Food was Grace’s love language. She created a home where everyone felt welcomed and nourished. For family and friends alike, Grace’s table was a place of warmth, laughter, generosity, and belonging.
Grace is survived by her loving husband, Jack Collins; her daughter, Kimberly; her son, Michael; her granddaughter, Courtney; her son-in-law, Donny; her sister, Mary; and many extended family members, friends, and members of the recovery community whose lives she touched deeply.
Her family will remember her for her strength, humor, resilience, generosity, enormous heart, and for the way she made people feel cared for, seen, and at home.
A celebration of life will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace’s favorite organization supporting those in recovery, the Vineyard House, online at vineyardhouse.org/donate-now.