Coletta C. Ginnard, age 76 died Saturday at her daughter’s home in Westlake, OH from a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Cleveland, OH, where she grew up and attended schools. She was legally blind at the age of 8 and felt that education was very important. She later went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania in Sociology.
She was the daughter of the late Mary & Paul Crawford. She was a long time Salem, NH resident, where she was an active member of St. Joseph Church, in Bible Study and the Liturgy Committee. She was very active in the community where she was a member of 25 plus years and past president of the GFWC Salem Woman’s Club. She established the large print book section of the Kelley Library for the visually challenged. This effort was recognized internationally at the GFWC Woman’s Club Convention in Washington, DC. She received the New Hampshire Outstanding state volunteer service recognition award. She was also presented with the New Hampshire Governors Outstanding Volunteer State Service Award presented by then Governor Judd Gregg. She was past president of the Salem Republican Woman’s Club, member of the Salem republican town committee, member of the town of Salem Fair Hearing Committee, member of the Council for the blind in Concord, NH, and member of the NH State Library. She was also a volunteer for Salemhaven Nursing Home.
Mrs. Ginnard worked as a switchboard operator for the town of Salem, NH, where she used special equipment, phone lines, and typewriters for the visually challenged adult.
She was predeceased by her husband Clayton Ginnard Jr.
She is survived by 6 Sons: David Ginnard of Cleveland, OH Paul Ginnard of Cleveland, OH Thomas & his Wife Joanne Ginnard of Londonderry, NH Mark & his Wife Diana Ginnard of Amherst, NH Patrick & his Wife Kerry Ginnard of Manchester, NH James Ginnard of Merrimack, NH
5 Daughters: Mary C. Ginnard of Ft. Lauderdale, FL Carolyn & her Husband Frank Leedy of Cleveland, OH Cathleen Ginnard of Derry, NH Colleen & her Husband Brian Maxwell of Salem, NH Kelly & her Husband Brian Sonia of Derry, NH
14 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 7-9 PM and Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main Street, Salem, NH.