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Brenda Louise Collins
October 15, 2025
, age 80, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025, in Brewster, Massachusetts.Born on January 12,...&picture=https://www.capecodchronicle.com/rails/active_storage/representations/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbG9kIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--72df740645002053a318615c6804d64822db65c3/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MY21WemFYcGxTU0lPTVRJd01IZzJNekJlQmpvR1JWUTZGR052YldKcGJtVmZiM0IwYVc5dWMzc0hPZ3RsZUhSbGJuUkpJZzB4TWpBd2VEWXpNQVk3QmxRNkRHZHlZWFpwZEhsSklndGpaVzUwWlhJR093WlUiLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--88000f88cb62de8cbd7d33601b62052a44740615/Brenda%20on%20Mt%20Monadnock.jpg){kind=link}
, age 80, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025, in Brewster, Massachusetts.Born on January 12,...&media=/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbG9kIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--72df740645002053a318615c6804d64822db65c3/Brenda%20on%20Mt%20Monadnock.jpg){kind=link}
Brewster - Brenda Louise Collins (née Weaton), age 80, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025, in Brewster, Massachusetts.
Born on January 12, 1945, in Washington, D.C., where her father was stationed as a Naval Lieutent during World War II, Brenda’s life was marked by a deep commitment to knowledge, history, and community.
Her academic journey began at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in German. She later pursued her passion for information science by obtaining a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University at Albany in New York.
Brenda dedicated her professional life to the advancement of libraries and the dissemination of knowledge. She served as a Collection Development Librarian at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, and later held the same role at Countway Library at Harvard University in Boston. Her leadership continued as Library Director at the New England College of Optometry and as Coordinator of Library Resources at Wilkens Library, Cape Cod Community College. Through these roles, Brenda left an indelible mark on each institution she served.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brenda was deeply engaged with history and education throughout her life. A passionate historian and genealogist, she immersed herself in Civil War studies with a particular focus on women’s roles during that era. She shared her insights through numerous presentations including “Women of the Civil War” for Tales of Cape Cod and the Civil War Roundtable in Barnstable, Massachusetts; “Women and Medicine of the Civil War” for the Harwich Historical Society and Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary; and guided walking tours of Historic Harwich Center with the Harwich Historical Society.
Brenda was a vital part of the Harwich Historical Society, where she was especially important working on the Cape Verdean Oral History Project and the Cape Verdean Display at the museum. She was instrumental in helping the project reach its goal to preserve the stories of a group of people and their families who are an integral part of the Cape Verdean Harwich Community.
Her love for storytelling extended into writing as well. From 2017 to 2020, Brenda contributed numerous historical articles to Harwich Neighbors magazine and occasionally wrote for the Rochester Post Dispatch in Rochester, Minnesota. Her work reflected not only her scholarly rigor but also her ability to bring history to life for readers and audiences alike.
Brenda found joy and inspiration in nature. She was an avid bird watcher and hiker who cherished time spent outdoors. Her travels took her far and wide, always with curiosity and appreciation for new places and cultures. She also enjoyed attending lectures that enriched her understanding of history and society.
Brenda is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, William Collins, of Brewster and her sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Jerry Selinfreund, of Keystone, CO. She was predeceased by her parents, George F. Weaton Jr. and Wylea Jane (Stuckrath) Weaton.
Those who knew Brenda remember her as a loving and compassionate person whose warmth touched everyone she met. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she influenced— through education, friendship, scholarship, and kindness.
May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House 819 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633. Donations in her name can be made to the Harwich Conservation Trust and the Harwich Historical Society.
Born on January 12, 1945, in Washington, D.C., where her father was stationed as a Naval Lieutent during World War II, Brenda’s life was marked by a deep commitment to knowledge, history, and community.
Her academic journey began at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in German. She later pursued her passion for information science by obtaining a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University at Albany in New York.
Brenda dedicated her professional life to the advancement of libraries and the dissemination of knowledge. She served as a Collection Development Librarian at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, and later held the same role at Countway Library at Harvard University in Boston. Her leadership continued as Library Director at the New England College of Optometry and as Coordinator of Library Resources at Wilkens Library, Cape Cod Community College. Through these roles, Brenda left an indelible mark on each institution she served.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brenda was deeply engaged with history and education throughout her life. A passionate historian and genealogist, she immersed herself in Civil War studies with a particular focus on women’s roles during that era. She shared her insights through numerous presentations including “Women of the Civil War” for Tales of Cape Cod and the Civil War Roundtable in Barnstable, Massachusetts; “Women and Medicine of the Civil War” for the Harwich Historical Society and Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary; and guided walking tours of Historic Harwich Center with the Harwich Historical Society.
Brenda was a vital part of the Harwich Historical Society, where she was especially important working on the Cape Verdean Oral History Project and the Cape Verdean Display at the museum. She was instrumental in helping the project reach its goal to preserve the stories of a group of people and their families who are an integral part of the Cape Verdean Harwich Community.
Her love for storytelling extended into writing as well. From 2017 to 2020, Brenda contributed numerous historical articles to Harwich Neighbors magazine and occasionally wrote for the Rochester Post Dispatch in Rochester, Minnesota. Her work reflected not only her scholarly rigor but also her ability to bring history to life for readers and audiences alike.
Brenda found joy and inspiration in nature. She was an avid bird watcher and hiker who cherished time spent outdoors. Her travels took her far and wide, always with curiosity and appreciation for new places and cultures. She also enjoyed attending lectures that enriched her understanding of history and society.
Brenda is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, William Collins, of Brewster and her sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Jerry Selinfreund, of Keystone, CO. She was predeceased by her parents, George F. Weaton Jr. and Wylea Jane (Stuckrath) Weaton.
Those who knew Brenda remember her as a loving and compassionate person whose warmth touched everyone she met. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she influenced— through education, friendship, scholarship, and kindness.
May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House 819 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633. Donations in her name can be made to the Harwich Conservation Trust and the Harwich Historical Society.
