Psychiatric nurse practitioner counseled many
Published December 3, 2020
NORTH READING — Mary Clare (Flintoft) Collings, 77, of North Reading, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at Winchester Hospital.
Born in White Plains, N.Y. on Sept. 24, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Gerald V. and Edith M. (O’Shaughnessy) Flintoft. She was a graduate of St. John’s High School in White Plains and received her B.A. from Manhattanville College, her B.S. from Columbia University and her master’s degree from Boston College.
Mary Clare was a psychiatric nurse practitioner for the Greater Lawrence Mental Health Center. She devoted her life to helping others deal with life’s trials. Although urged by her college professors to pursue a graduate degree in English, she pursued a career in nursing, specializing in counseling those suffering from mental health issues. After retiring, she counseled those suffering through bereavement.
She was a deeply religious person. She led a bereavement support group at St. Theresa’s Church with Father Thomas Powers, formerly of St. Theresa’s, and taught Bible study at St. Augustine’s Church in Andover. She also led a weekly centering prayer group at St. Theresa’s Church.
Mary Clare was a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years and an active member of St. Theresa’s Church for many years.
Family members include her loving husband, Honorable Robert B. Collings; sons John Richard Collings and Christopher J.M. Collings; daughter Clare Collings Bradley; late brothers Gerald J. Flintoft and Richard A. Flintoft (who died on Nov. 21, 2020); and six grandchildren, Christopher Jr., Luke, Conor, Amelia, Robert and David.
Her funeral Mass was held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading on Saturday, November 28. Visitation was private. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 or to Contemplative Outreach, 1560 Union Valley Rd., No. 909, West Milford, NJ 07480.
Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
