Jane Collins

NASHVILLE ~ Dr. Mary Jane Collins died peacefully at her home in Nashville, TN, on February 22, 2025, with family by her side. She was born October 17, 1940, in Miami, FL, as the second of two daughters to William Spence Collins and Gracie Lee (Starling) Collins. Due to her father’s military service, Jane grew up all over the United States and lived with her family in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, following WWII. The family eventually settled in Atlanta, GA, where Jane graduated from Brown High School. She earned degrees from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where she received a BA in Mathematics and an MS in Audiology and Speech Pathology. She received her PhD in Hearing Science from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

 Jane worked as a research audiologist for Veterans Administration hospitals in Coral Gables, FL, and Bristol, TN, but she spent most of her career in academia. She was a researcher and professor at the University of Iowa, Vanderbilt University, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the City University of New York, Tennessee State University, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and the LSU Medical Center in New Orleans. She ended her career as a professor and Dean of what was then the College of Arts and Sciences at LSU. Jane was named a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and won the Beltone Distinguished Teaching Award in Audiology in 1987 while she was the Director of Audiology at LSU. She remained a passionate advocate for the importance of education and a devoted LSU Tigers fan.

 Jane was a breeder and rescuer of Boston Terriers and Cardigan Welsh Corgis for many years. She was an accomplished seamstress, pianist, and organist. Jane was known for her love of dogs, travel, reading, music, cooking, her interest in politics, her many friends around the country, and as a thoughtful gift-giver. We will miss her sage advice, her family stories, her “just because” gifts, her listening ear anytime we needed to talk, her texts about LSU football, and the fun she always brought to our lives. She was one in a million and leaves a big hole in our hearts. 

 Jane was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Ann Collins Clyatt. She is survived by her nieces, Susan Clyatt Lybeck (Kevin) of Avon, CT; Sheila Clyatt Schaub (Rich) of Missoula, MT; her nephew, Gene Clyatt, Jr. (Janet) of Superior, MT; as well as by seven grandnephews, Kyle Kuburich (Alyssa), Erik Lybeck (Laura), Jason Lybeck, Aaron Kuburich (Lauren), Trent Kuntz (Lizz), Matt Lybeck, and Brian Lybeck; one grandniece, Amanda Clyatt Callen (Chase); and six great-grandnephews and nieces, David Lybeck, Julia Lybeck, Amy Lybeck, Iris Callen, Kasen Kuburich, and Brooks Kuburich.

 The family extends gratitude to the staff of Harmony at Bellevue and Gentiva Hospice for making Jane’s final days comfortable. Jane will be laid to rest alongside her parents and sister at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, MT. The graveside service will be Saturday, March 29, at 10:30AM.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the M. Jane Collins Undergraduate Award at LSU. Checks may be made payable to LSU Foundation and mailed to 3796 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Please write “M. Jane Collins Undergraduate Award” in the memo line or on a note accompanying the check. Donations can also be made online at https://bbis32491p.sky.blackbaud.com/give-now. From the landing page, click into the box for Fund Name, check the box to Specify a fund, then write-in “M. Jane Collins Undergraduate Award.”