Ann Martin Collins, 90, died in Plymouth on Wednesday, October 7, surrounded by her family.

A resident of Duxbury for 56 years, Ann loved walking the local beaches, woods, and cranberry bogs with her sheltie, admiring plants and birds, and sharing photos of them on handmade notecards sent to family and friends. She and her then-husband, David Collins, raised their family on Washington Street, providing idyllic childhoods for their five children. Ann was a role model of kindness towards everyone she met.

In 1978, Ann volunteered at Talking Information Center, in Marshfield, a new radio reading service for the blind. She was subsequently hired to lead volunteer operations, befriending hundreds who gave their time to read the books and periodicals broadcast to visually impaired listeners across New England. Upon her retirement from TIC, Ann was recognized by the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives for her 34 years of dedicated service.

After experiencing depression in her early adult life, Ann worked up the courage to attend a mental health support group, Recovery, shortly after the birth of her fifth child. As she began to share her story and found that she was not alone, her confidence grew. By the time that child left for college, Ann was leading the Buzzards Bay chapter of Recovery, finding purpose in helping others with depression.

Ann was a passionate gardener, choir member, and animal lover, but her happiest role was as “Nannie” to her 10 grandchildren, particularly during summer reunions at Sebago Lake, where up to four generations of family would gather for days filled with swimming, song, and s’mores.

Ann was born the eldest of four children on March 5, 1936, in Kansas City, to Margaret (Cremin) Martin and Dr. Ralf Martin. Following Ralf’s medical training in Montreal and Boston, they settled down on an old farm in Falmouth, Maine. In summers, Ann and her family enjoyed monthlong cruises “Down East” on Fortune, their wooden yawl. She attended local Waynefleet Academy before matriculating at Middlebury College, graduating in 1958.

Ann is survived by her brother Gene and wife Nancy, her brother Jim, her sister Cathy, her son Jarrett and wife Lee, her daughter Catherine and husband Erik, her son Tim and wife Lauren, her son Mike and wife Jill, her son Pete, and her 10 grandchildren: Victoria, Ben, Nina, Emma, Audrey, Teddy, Owen, Eloise, Sean, and Emily. She was predeceased by her parents and her stepmother Mary.

A private ceremony is anticipated for next spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Talking Information Center, PO Box 519, Marshfield, MA 02050 or www.ticnetwork.org

Ann’s family is deeply grateful for the care and compassion shown by the staffs of The Village at Duxbury and Newfield House in Plymouth, and for the friendship of her regular companions, Donna Berry and Bree Peters. She loved all of you, too.