Rebecca C. Larsen

Abingdon, VA - Rebecca Anne Collins Larsen, age 71, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2014, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was a native of Kannapolis, NC, daughter of the late Samuel L. Collins and Audrey Woodward Collins. She had an outstanding career as a pediatric nurse prior to starting her family, but her greatest life work was as a devoted mother and grandmother. Rebecca was classy and quick witted; she was an avid reader and well-versed in current events. She was known as a wonderful communicator, focusing all of her attention while listening to others, never missing any detail. She was a very thoughtful gift giver and the best gift she gave was her calming, nurturing, and healing presence. She is survived by her sons, Erik P. Larsen and wife Jennifer of Johnson City, TN, and Mark T. Larsen and wife Jennifer of Abingdon; four brothers: Steven Collins of Kannapolis, NC; Danny Collins and wife Delma of Avon, CT; Timothy Collins and wife Joni of Marietta, GA; and Philip Collins and wife Kay of Mint Hill, NC; granddaughter Audrey Jane Larsen, who was the apple of her eye; and her former husband, Geoffrey Larsen, MD of Johnson City. She was also a devoted aunt to four nieces and two nephews. The funeral service for Rebecca Larsen will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2014, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA with Anne Leibig officiating. Entombment will follow in Serenity Gardens Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Stuart Collins, Nathan Collins, Danny Collins, Phil Collins, Steven Collins, and Tommy Love serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Collins and Andy Gamache. The family will visit with friends Sunday at the Forest Hills Chapel from 1:00 p.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?team_id=145848&fr_id=3284&pg=team, in Mrs. Larsens’s name. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family of Rebecca Larsen is in the care of the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Cremation and Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).