Age 22. 417 East Main Street, Batavia, NY (residing at 1040 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY). Born 5/12/1920, in Buffalo, NY. Died 11/29/1942 (Sunday), of burns (death certificate). Secretary, Bell Aircraft Corp., Niagara Falls, NY. Left Buffalo the previous Thursday night by train with her apartment roommate and coworker Miss Ivah Leffler, age 22 (also born on 5/12/1920, in New York City. Died as Ivah M. McKee on 6/22/1967, age 47. Last residence Amherst, NY), survived, to spend the weekend in Boston. Girls were escorted locally by Ensign John W. "Jack" Edwards, U.S.N.R., age 23, of Richmond, MI, dead. Trio had attended the big afternoon B.C. Eagles / Holy Cross Crusaders collegiate football game. Were standing at the cellar Melody Lounge octagonal bar when the blaze broke. "Ensign Edwards and Miss Leffler managed to escape the fire and wild stampede, but when they reached safety they discovered Miss Collins was missing" (The Daily News, Batavia, NY, 11/30/1942). Ensign Edwards reentered the burning club to seek Miss Collins, but died later of injuries after walking on his own into Mass General Hospital. Rescuer Miss Nina Underwood, age 18 (Born 2/06/1924. Died as Nina J. Young on 6/27/1997, age 73), to the The Boston Herald, 11/30/1942: "I remember a naval officer coming out of the club...They kept calling for a Catherine Collins, nicknamed Tony. They said she was a tiny girl and they were afraid she had been trampled on." A ring and some clothing was tentatively recognized at Northern Mortuary by Miss Leffler. Identity of her remains was confirmed by an older sister of Miss Leffler, a second Buffalo roommate who arrived in Boston on Sunday. The mother of the Leffler sisters (to a reporter): "Catherine often...went swimming with my daughters during the summer. She was a very pleasant girl" (Buffalo Evening News, 12/01/1942). Had previously attended the University of Buffalo. Was a coordinator in the share-the-ride program at the above Bell aircraft plant. Was single. Parents Mrs. Margaret F. (Fisher), same Batavia, NY, address above, and the late Mr. Harry F. Collins. Father died by accidental drowning in Buffalo in 1941. Burial at Batavia Cemetery, Batavia, NY.

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