Geraldine V. Collette, 86, of Derry, NH, died Sunday, September 28, 2003 at the Parkland Medical Center in Derry. She was born in Hampstead, NH on October 10, 1916, a daughter of the late Howard and Florence (Adams) Houston. She was a resident of Derry for the past 25 years, formerly living in Hampstead. She had been employed as a shoeworker for Chelmsford Shoe Co. in Derry. She enjoyed watching television, especially soap operas, bowling and golf. She was the widow of Paul O. Collette who died in 1975.
She is survived by five daughters, Verna Huson Barthelmess of Island Pond, VT, Virginia Stefanilo and her husband Nicholas with whom she resided in Derry, Marie Lagasse and her husband James of Haverhill, MA, Glenna Ordway and her husband Roger of Chiefland, FL, Donna Tilden and her husband James of Haverhill, MA, 29 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, two sisters, Lea Merrick, Nancy Noyes both of Haverhill, MA, one brother, Edward Houston of Concord, NH, numerous niece and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Paul Collette (Derry’s first Mayor), and Alfred Collette of Gardiner, Maine.
There are no calling hours. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 10:00am at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. The burial will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery in Plaistow, NH. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or to your favorite Arthritis Foundation.