Shrewsbury – Sharon A. (Collins) Rand, 66, died peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, surrounded by her family.
Born on June 5, 1945 in Greenfield, she was a daughter of Norman F. Collins and the late Beatrice E. (Wilder) Collins. Her family moved to Shrewsbury in 1962 and she graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1963. She worked alongside her husband as the office manager at his company, Rand's Automotive Center in Shrewsbury, for over 20 years.
She married William J. “Butch” Rand Dec. 26, 1975. Together they enjoyed traveling, from pop-up trailers to luxurious cruise liners and plane trips to various parts of the world. They also loved their summer home at Glen Echo in Charlton and camping at Hermit Island in Bath, Maine. Other interests included reading a good book, hosting her family at holiday times, the ocean and beach and a good lobster roll and something sweet. She was so very much loved and happiest amongst her family and friends.
She leaves her husband of 36 years, William J. Rand; her daughter, Kristen A. Hennessey and her husband Andrew of Lisbon, N.H.; her father, Norman F. Collins of Shrewsbury; her brothers, Peter N. Collins and his wife Paula of Shrewsbury and Stephen W. Collins of Fair Oaks, Cal.; her mother-in-law, Eleanor (McNamara) Rand of Shrewsbury; her in-laws, Richard and Dawn Rand of Northborough, Carol and Al Gelanis and Karen Pozzi, all of Spencer, Cindy and Brian Henderson of Shrewsbury, Candy Rand of New Hampshire, Kay and George DeWolfe of Millbury; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember her life by gathering for calling hours Friday, Nov. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Saturday morning, Nov. 12 in the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Rd., where her funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Mrs. Rand's memory and struggle with lung cancer with a contribution to the Lung Cancer Alliance (Shine a Light), P.O. Box 418372, Boston, MA 02241 8372.
