Anne Marie Collier

Collier, Anne Marie of Swampscott MA, formally of Nahant and Somerville.  Beloved sister of Carolyn Collier  of Texas and Rosemary Bromberg of Beverly MA and Sister-in-Law of Paula Pare of Beverly MA  Also Sister at Heart Nancy Gulino of Peabody MA

Anne Also leaves grandnieces and a large and very loving extended family.

Anne worked her whole life as an Editor.  First for D C Heath and then for Houghton Mifflin.  Her nieces and nephew reaping the benefits of having an aunt who not only had the teacher’s edition of their math books, but likely wrote part of them.  She had an extraordinary gift for mathematics and the ability to make it fun. Even her checkbook was a grand experiment.  She never posted change, she only rounded up and down.  She looked forward to the end of the year so she could see how close she was to her actual balance. She lit up when telling stories of her train rides from Wonderland Station into Boston, picking up abandoned crossword pages from various news papers.  After moving to Swampscott, Anne’s commute included a bus run where she met who later became her “bus buddies.”  In situations that most find dreadful, Anne found comraderie and companionship.

Anne was also the “keeper of all the stories.”  She took her role as the eldest daughter very seriously and was an avid history buff, not only world history, but also family history.  She had the uncanny ability to remember every story that she ever heard.  At family functions she would regale us with the memories of the past, good and bad.  She knew them all.  If you wanted to know what port of entry your great great grandfather used to enter the country, or whether or not you were related to Eleanor of Aquitane, she would turn to her copias notes, papers and ancestary.com printouts,that were likely stacked on a dining room chair.  And you can bet money that she’d find the information you were looking for.  

Anne made it her duty to attend every party, wedding, funeral, graduation and christening.  But you better have made sure there was a plate of pasta with no sauce…and a diet coke.  Her life was her family.  Any questions about the family, you could go to Anne for the answer.  The sadness will be very deep at the thought of an empty chair from now on. 

Anne also recently became involved in local politics and gave freely of her time.  She was never bored in her retirement.  She was also very involved in her church, St. Thomas Aquinas in Nahant, and was a deacon and long-time member of the choir. 

Anne will be missed for her many charitable donations- she had a long list of favorites.  Anne’s loss will have a profound impact on the community.  She was tireless in her efforts. 

For those near and dear to her heart, Tuesdays will never be the same, but there will always be a seat for Anne at Nancy’s table.  Anne, we hope you’re looking down from your table at the Porthole in the sky, with a plate of chicken cordon bleu in front of you. 

Relatives and friend are invited to attend a funeral service in the  Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 10th at 7pm with visitation prior to the service from 5-7pm.

In lieu of flowers, please continue Anne’s legacy of generosity by making a donation to the charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anne Marie Collier, please visit our floral store.