“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”
Scottish Poet, Thomas Campbell ‘Hallowed Ground’
Westborough – Jeanne L. (Dufault) Collins Hawkesworth, of Westborough, passed peacefully Dec. 31, 2018 at Coleman House, Northborough. For 48 years, she was the wife of Robert L. Collins, who passed in 1993. She later married John R. Hawkesworth, who passed in 2011.
She was born and raised in Marlborough, and was a daughter of the late Frederick and Aurora (Allard) Dufault. Jeanne attended St. Anne’s Academy in Marlborough, and while working full-time later received her G.E.D. Over the years, Jeanne earned numerous accounting and administrative certificates.
Jeanne diligently worked for many years in the office of Bay State Abrasives. She later became the accounts receivable/payable clerk at Mass. Oxygen and New England Oxygen. From there, she was offered an opportunity to work for the State of Massachusetts at the former Westborough State Hospital and then later transferring to the Westboro Public School System as a secretary.
Jeanne was a member of St. Luke’s Church, the “Forever Young” group at St. Luke’s and the Westborough Senior Center.
Jeanne and Robert enjoyed many national and international vacations with friends. She loved entertaining with family and friends so there were many gatherings with too much food and, of course, music was always playing that encouraged dancing, jokes and laughter. They and their “group” were the kings and queens of the ballroom dancefloor. Great fun times.
Jeanne enjoyed crafts. Over the years, she became very adept at various crafts, creating outfits for her young daughter and those “locally” famous birthday doll cakes. There were also many braided rugs being made along the way and more sewing creations. After retiring, Jeanne and John enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Florida and, of course, dancing. During their winter months in Florida, she added one more craft skill….Swedish weaving.
Jeanne was born into a family that valued responsibility, respect, and an outstanding work ethic. She exemplified those values in every aspect of her life and has truly left a wonderful legacy.
The family thanks the attentive, caring nursing staff and administration at Coleman House; the Jewish Healthcare Center Inc. Hospice for their intricate care, compassion and support at Coleman House and the VNA Hospice for their careful attention during her at-home care.
Jeanne is survived by daughter Diane L. Collins of Westborough; her brother, Robert Dufault and his wife Josie of Marlborough; her sister, Yvette Estelle O’Connell of Hudson/Northborough; and many nieces and nephews and extended family of special friends. Jeanne was predeceased by sisters Doris Gebhart and Anita Brodeur.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, Jan. 7, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Calling hours at the Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Sunday, Jan. 6, from 2-4 p.m.
Donations in memory of Jeanne may be made to either the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or to MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.
