Published May 15, 2020
READING — Geraldine M. “Gerry” (nee Collins) (Santella) Chagnon, 85, resident of Reading, and formerly of Melrose, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody.
Born in Melrose on October 20, 1934, Gerry is one of four children of the late Albert E. and Edith (nee Brown) Collins. She grew up in Melrose, graduating from Melrose High School in 1952. She enjoyed spending time with her friends Gertie and Janice, a friendship they maintained over the years of their lives.
Gerry worked as a bookkeeper at the Melrose Savings Bank, in the Assessor’s Office at Melrose City Hall, as a Unit Secretary at Winchester Hospital, a Coordinator at Grapevine Resource and Family Center in Antrim, New Hampshire, and at the Peoples Service Exchange. She was also a proud member of the Social Club at Cedar Glen in Reading.
While hard work was important to Gerry, and that was something she instilled in her children; family was what mattered most to her. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She was active in their lives, and exceptionally proud of all their accomplishments.
Cooking and baking were a favorite pastime for Gerry. She cooked and baked for everyone. She was known for her brownies and Sunday dinners with her dear family and friends. Good food was one of the cornerstones of her life.
Gerry loved shopping, reading, watching the Pats and Red Sox, ballroom dancing and clogging, or tending to her beautiful roses, which she so fondly looked after. Gerry absolutely loved music. If she wasn’t reading or watching her crime shows, she would be listening to Il Divo or Tom Jones, two of her favorites. She also had a soft spot for animals, especially her two beloved cats, Lovey and Pretty Girl. Traveling was another favorite pastime, with trips to Ireland, Newfoundland, and out to the West Coast to see her brother, as a few of her favorite destinations.
A woman of deep faith, church was exceedingly important to Gerry and she was a longtime member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading.
The love, warmth, and great sense of humor Gerry showed to everyone will be deeply missed.
Gerry is the devoted mother of Debra J. Tibbetts and her husband Donald of Methuen, Gerri L. Bellavia and her husband Francis of Wilmington, Rhonda L. O’Keefe of Methuen, and Edmund R. Santella and his wife Stephanie of Derry, N.H. Dear sister of the late Dr. Calvin J. Collins. Sister of E. Joyce Coe and J. Loreen Doherty. Proud grandmother of Donald J. “DJ” Tibbetts, Lisa L. Bellavia, Michelle Bellavia, Christopher L. O’Keefe, Leah M. O’Keefe, Edmund A. Santella, and Elizabeth C. Santella. Also survived by great-grandson Mason Tibbetts.
Due to current health regulations, services for Gerry will be private. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose, where she will rest for eternity with her beloved parents.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Gerry may be made to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130.
Please offer your words of love and support online at RobinsonFuneralHome.com.