Gay Nell Collette

Gay Nell Collette, surrounded by her family in the early morning of December 26, 2011, passed away peacefully after a valiant and courageous battle with breast cancer. Gay's rosary service will begin Thursday evening, December 29, 2011, at 7:00pm at Holy Rosary Church, 1416 George St, Rosenberg, Texas. The celebration mass will begin the following Friday morning at 10:00am. Following the mass, the graveside service will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Bryan, Texas at 3:00pm. Gay was born on August 6, 1945 in Alvin, Texas. As she matured, she began establishing friendships that have remained strong to this day, and it was then that she developed her selfless, caregiving personality that endured to the end. She worked for over 35 years with the John P. McGovern Foundation in Houston. She valued the great purpose and meaning she garnered working with Dr. and Mrs. McGovern and his staff and the numerous life long friends and many close associations she nurtured during her tenure there. Gay loved to travel and cook. Indeed, she is known for her skillful ease in the kitchen creating delectable meals. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. Gay was preceded in death by her parents, Anne E. Smith and Gustaf "Gus" Gustafson, her husband, Peter S. Collette. Survivors include her son; Cary Ostera and wife Wendy; daughter, Giulia Vanderlaan and husband Ron; son, Vincent Ostera and wife Vangie; stepson, Charles E. Collette; stepdaughter, Veda Haase and husband Richard; grandsons, Clay Vanderlaan, Matthew, Will, Vance and Chance Ostera; granddaughters; Meaghan and Maddison Ostera; great-nephew, Jeremy C. Collette; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other family and many friends. Pallbearers will be Jeremy C. Collette, Joseph DeTally, Matthew Ostera, Will Ostera, Jonathan Schrock, Kent Schrock and Clay Vanderlaan. The honorary pallbearer shall be Richard Haase. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to the Gay Collette Fund to install grab/safety bars in the homes of those in need of assistance. It was her dying wish to provide this free service to help maintain the independence and dignity of those suffering from disability and disease. Further information regarding the charity and its mission may be obtained by emailing gaycollettefund@gmail.com.

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Gay Nell Collette

August 6, 1945 - December 26, 2011