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Sister Miriam Thomas Collins, S.C., who spent more than 50 years serving the people of her South Bronx community, died March 21 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Yonkers. She was 80.
She spent the early years of her ministry teaching, first at Ascension School, Manhattan, 1954-1962, then at St. Athanasius, Bronx, 1962-1967. She became a community service worker at St. Athanasius starting in 1967. She was the director of the parish community outreach program, 2004-2013.
Sister Thomas was the administrator of Simpson Street Development Assn., a multi-service center, 1972-2004.
Because of her concern for affordable housing in the area, she co-founded the Southeast Bronx Community Organization (SEBCO) that led to the creation of a 105-unit development on Southern Boulevard. In her honor, it was named the Sister Thomas S.C. Apartments.
During years when the community suffered a variety of serious economic and social problems, Sister Thomas offered the people of the South Bronx hope and stability. She received a number of awards for her effort, and was named international woman of the year by the Association of Youth Organizations of the South Bronx in 1975.
Born in Brooklyn, she entered the Sisters of Charity of New York in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Mount St. Vincent.
A Funeral Mass was offered March 24 at St. Athanasius Church. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Yonkers.
