Lesley S. Daniels

Lesley S. Daniels, age 86, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2026, at her home in Chadds Ford, PA. She was the spouse of the late Ralph P. Collins, with whom she shared 19 years of marriage. Born in Norwich, CT, she was the daughter of the late Wilford Alexander Sutthill and the late Phyllis Josephine (Brewer) Sutthill.

Lesley graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1958. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1963 with a BA in Botany in 1963 and MS in Botany in 1973.

Following her undergraduate education Lesley moved to Boston to work as Research Assistant in microbiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. While living in Boston she met her first husband Lloyd K. Daniels, the father of her son, David. After working for six years in Boston, Lesley returned to Connecticut to work in the department of Pathology at the University of Connecticut Health Center and to earn her Master’s degree. It was in Connecticut that her son, David, was born. She raised him in West Hartford, and following a pause in work, resumed research at the departments of Physiology and Rheumatology at the University of Connecticut Health Center until her retirement in 1995. In 1998 she married Ralph Collins and enjoyed retired life with him in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, until his passing in 2017.

In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, genealogy research, and spending time with her cats, Winston and Riley. She also especially enjoyed computer solitaire and watching 1960’s Westerns on the TV later in life.

She will be remembered for being a dedicated and loving mother. Lesley loved all animals. During her time in West Hartford she raised two dogs, several rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and most memorably a wild squirrel who used to perch on her shoulder while she fed him.

She is survived by her son, David L. Daniels and his wife, Tsung-Hui (Sophie) Yang; her granddaughters, Meredith and Audrey; her stepdaughter, Carol and her son, Nolan; and her stepson, Blair. In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her siblings, Phyllis Shirley Johnson and Wilford Alexander Sutthill Jr.; and her stepson Jon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA. www.bvspca.org

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view her online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.