Albertine M. Collette

Albertine M. (Arsenault) Collette, 94, of Gardner, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020. She died in her sleep in the apartment she shared for almost a year with her daughter Phyllis, who vowed to care for her mother until the end. Albertine went on hospice care this past October while remaining in their apartment. The Gardner Visiting Nursing Association often praised Phyllis for the care she gave to her mother in Albertine’s final year of life.

Albertine was born in Rumford, Maine on October 29, 1925, to the late Rueben and Marie (Vautour) Arsenault Her family moved to Gardner in 1936.

She married Leo J. Collette of Gardner on September 21, 1946. They were married for 52-years, until Leo’s passing on March 22, 1998.

She attended Gardner schools and received her GED. She worked for the Gardner School Department as a Teacher’s Aide for 12-years until her retirement. She was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner.

She enjoyed participating in the activities at the Gardner Senior Center, especially yoga and BINGO. She was a member of the Gardner Golden Agers. She was an avid reader, loved to bowl, paint, play cards and Scrabble, and line dance. But her greatest joy was time spent with her family and grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers Ivon Arsenault (2008), Joseph Arsenault (2011) and Camille Arsenault (2011); sisters-in-law, Lydia Arsenault (2013) and Madeline Arsenault (2016); daughter-in-law, Rosana Collette (2009) and son-in-law David Cummer (2010).

She leaves four sons, Dennis L. Collette of Cape Canaveral, FL, Jeffrey I. Collette of Fitchburg, Stephen G. Collette of Greenville, NH, and Pastor Gary P. Collette and his wife Janis of Westminster; four daughters all of Gardner, Christine A. Cummer, Susan M. Collette, Phyllis A. Collette, and Carol L. Rogers and her husband Kevin; four grandsons, Jake and Lucas Collette, Seth and Jordan Vogel; four great-grandchildren, Kayley Kangas, Atticus, Draven, and Rogue Collette; one brother Lionel Arsenault and his wife Marilyn “Cushie” of Baldwinville, foster sister Eveline Beauregard of Hubbardston; sister-in-law Elinor Arsenault of Baldwinville; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to the recent COVID-19 (Corona Virus) outbreak, Funeral Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial Contributions may be made to GVNA Healthcare, Inc., 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440 or to the Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22134. Please reference in memory of Albertine Collette.