Colleen Adkins

Colleen Adkins, a loving, witty, and crafty soul known for her humor, generosity, and tireless caregiving, passed away on January 21, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on February 28, 1954, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Colleen filled every season of her life with warmth, resourcefulness, and steadfast devotion to the people she loved.

Colleen’s hands were rarely still. She sewed, quilted, and mended with a tenderness that stitched her family together as surely as any thread. Camping trips, lively kitchens, and long conversations defined her happiest days, each moment marked by her quick wit and an instinct to make others feel at ease. Never one to shrink from a challenge, she returned to school later in life to become a medical assistant—an achievement that reflected both her perseverance and her lifelong calling to care for others. Those who knew her best remember the way she showed up: ready with a joke, a hot meal, or a handmade quilt that offered both comfort and keepsake. In every season, Colleen led with heart.

Family was the center of Colleen’s world, and she loved them fiercely. She was preceded in death by first husband, James Delnegro. She cherished by her second husband, Daniel Adkins, and by her children—James Delnegro (Beverly), Joseph Delnegro, and Amy Wetzel (William)—and delighted in the ever-growing circle of ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who followed. She shared a lifelong bond with her brothers, Thomas Sullivan (Rita), Michael Sullivan (Kathleen), and Richard Sullivan (June), as well as her sisters in law Gloria (Kevin) and Sharon. Colleen treasured their families as her own. Her loyal dog, Finn, was a constant companion, especially in recent years. Above all, Colleen’s legacy lives on in the many quilts she created for her loved ones—each one a testament to her patience, creativity, and enduring love.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Colleen’s life on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Aura Fire Co., 909 Aura Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028—gathering on what would have been her 72nd birthday to honor a life beautifully lived. In lieu of formalities, the family welcomes stories, shared memories, and, for those who have them, the quilts she made—symbols of the comfort she gave so freely.

Colleen will be remembered for the way she made others feel seen and supported, for the laughter she sparked, and for the warmth—literal and figurative—she wrapped around those she loved. May her memory be a blessing and her example a gentle reminder to lead with humor, give generously, and care deeply.

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