Deborah C. Johndro (Collins) 65, of Hidden Valley Rd. in Charlestown, NH, died Monday evening at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, surrounded by her family and loved ones after a brief illness.
She was born in Boston, MA, on September 29, 1952. The daughter of Cecelia A. Flanagan and John S. Collins, both of Somerville, MA.
She grew up in Somerville and attended St. Clements Grade and High School.
Following graduation from St. Clements High School she moved to Hartford, CT, and began her career as an administrative assistant at the Institute of Living in Hartford.
There she worked alongside her Mom, Cecilia Flanagan, for over 20 years. It was there where she met her late husband James “Jim” Johndro, married and eventually settled in East Hartford, CT.
After completing her career at the Institute she relocated to Charlestown where she had a second home and grew to love over the years. Here she launched into her second career at Cota and Cota Oil in Bellows Falls, VT. There she would be a trusted and beloved employee for 21 years, up until the time of her death. It is here she met her loving friend and life companion, John Allan, of Walpole, NH. With him she shared her love of the simple New Hampshire life they both so much loved. So grateful to have been blessed with a loving and dedicated man in her life whom she could share with him their common interest in family, home making, gardening, cooking and of course her cats, which he was to realize very quickly were at the top of the list.
Deb gave her absolute best in all she did. She was dedicated to her family and friends beyond belief. You did not need to be related to her to be considered as family either.
If you were lucky enough to fall into that category you were “in”. From her you could always count on a hand up, a sensitive ear, or solid advice in a difficult situation or important decision. She was thorough and level headed. To say she was reliable is an understatement.
Although she didn’t stray far from her beloved Charlestown home, she spent ” hours of time on the telephone line” always keeping in touch and up to date with her family and friends. She kept abreast of their lives at every turn. She was that special sister, aunt and friend who always remembered your birthday, celebrated your accomplishments or extended her sympathy during a difficult time. Full of love and compassion to everyone who had the pleasure to know her.
Her nieces and nephews held a very special place in her heart. Godmother to Ryan, she shared that special bond of middle child. She sought to fill the role of the Aunt that you could go to and share and seek advice about things you would have difficulty talking to your parents about. We all need someone like that in our lives and she filled that role for her nieces and nephews gracefully.
Our sadness and loss are deep and profound. But we celebrate her life the way we know she would want us to. A life lived well. Full of love and joy, ups and downs, twists and turns, accomplishments and failures, determination and generosity.
We will love and miss her smile and laugh forever and a day.
The surviving family includes, two brothers, Allan Collins of Somerville, and John Collins and his wife Angela Collins of Norwood, MA, nieces and nephews, Kristen, Ryan, Joseph, Lin and Mei Collins and many cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband James Johndro.
Friends may call at the Charlestown Memorial Chapel, 34 Main Street in Charlestown NH on Monday, December 11th, from 4-7 pm. With a prayer Service Tuesday morning December 12th at 11 am followed by burial in Pine Crest Cemetery in Charlestown NH.
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