Bessie Irene Collier, 97, of Leonardtown, MD died August 30, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born June 15, 1911 in Weehawken, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Richard Francis and Florence E. Mooney Collier.

Miss Collier attended normal school in Jersey City, NJ and in 1938 she was appointed to teach as an elementary third grade teacher. In 1948 she received her Bachelors of Science Degree and in 1957 her Master's Degree. She taught for 39 years and enjoyed every day of it. She could find not fault in anyone; was friendly and made friends quickly.

Miss Collier is survived by her sister, Florence M. Collier of Leonardtown, MD; two nieces: Corinne Cram and her husband Roger of Crested Butte, CO, Lorraine Stevens of Guernsey, Iowa: one nephew Thomas Collier and his wife Marilyn of Leonardtown. She is also survived by five grand nieces and nephews and four great-grand nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD. Father Ray Schmidt pastor of the church will be the celebrant. Interment will be on Friday, September 5th in Calvary Cemetery, Long Island City, New York.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Federation of the Blind,1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230-4998.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.