Collier, Jeanette P- of Chelsea, MA, 71, August 1, 2017. Mother of Angela Collier, grandmother of Ariana Collier. Daughter of the late Britton Collier and Flora Costa Collier;  Sister of Anne Marie Collier of Swampscott; Carolyn Collier of Austin TX and Rosemary Bromberg of Beverly.Sister in law of Paula Pare of Beverly. Jeanette was the longtime and loving companion of Ralph B. Dawkins also of Chelsea.

Jeanette grew up in Somerville, MA and graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School. She attended Boston University but it was after she became a single mother, that she made the decision to return to school to better her life for herself and her young daughter. Despite the hardships, Jeanette received her Bachelor Degree and was Valedictorian of her class at U Mass Boston. She received the Christa McAuliffe Award for new teachers. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Special Education and continued her education by taking numerous classes at the University of Phoenix

Jeanette was a dedicated School Teacher. She often spoke of her 4th grade Adaptive Behavior Class with both compassion and joy. She was always looking for new teaching techniques and tools to help her kids learn and become more self-sufficient. She retired out of the Harvard Kent School in Charlestown but she worked throughout the Boston Public School System.

On Super Bowl Sunday in 2001 Jeanette got a new lease on life when the gift of a heart transplant was given to her through the miracle of medical science. This additional time gave her the opportunity to be a grandmother to Ariana. Their relationship has always been special and their time together will always be dear.

Being an avid reader and a bit of a conspiracy buff, conversations could become feisty and a family function would always guarantee lively conversations. She also was an excellent cook and no one will ever be able to duplicate her mashed potatoes or fried chicken.

Due to a series of complications as Jeanette’s health deteriorated, she became more private. A fan of Social Media, she kept in touch through Likes and Posts. She also prided herself as being quite a gamer, and surely her gaming buddies will miss her.

She had no more fight left in her. Her family was by her side as she passed peacefully.

Relatives and friends may visit the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., (corner of Park St. and Rte. 28), North Reading, at Reading line on Friday August 11th from 6:30-8pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in Jeanette’s name to the Federation of Children with Special Needs, 529 Main Street Ste M3, Charlestown, MA 02129 (http://www.fcsn.org). 

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