Collette Whitney

Collette Whitney; a woman of true strength; a wife that loved her husband, Marc, more than life itself; a mother to Amanda and Tyler, whom she never stopped living for, and a
grandma that had the most love for her grandkids. Sadly, Collette passed away on April 23rd, 2024 at the tender age of 64 following the most courageous battle with Merkel Cell
Carcinoma surrounded by her loving family.
Born July 6th, 1959, to George and Joyce Lemelin, Collette was one of ten siblings.
On June 7th, 1980, Collette married the man of her dreams, Marc Whitney. A man that would dedicate his entire self to being to the best husband and father that there is.
Together, they built a beautiful life and a family filled with so much love. Marc and Collette lived a marriage that most dream of. Rooted in deep connection and love, honesty and integrity. The two were a model pair who spent 43 years married. Collette was a mother unlike any other. There was a not a day that went by that she didn’t speak to her children, Amanda and Tyler. Collette could talk all day about her proudness for her children and their accomplishments. Collette’s children were able to share their love back by caring for Collette in her final months. Many special memories
were made during this time, and these moments will forever be cherished by Amanda and Tyler.
If you knew Collette, you knew her love for photography. Spending many hours a day editing her photos, right up to her final moments trying to get the best picture, especially of the deer that she and Marc would capture on their nightly rides to look for beautiful sunsets and majestic animals. She was known for trying to stop in the middle of the road for the “perfect shot”. Collette and Marc would spend many days capturing pictures of her eagles, a bird she came to love to capture by way of her camera. Marc and Collette would also spend their time in their “special spot”, a place that Marc will go to cherish his beautiful memories of the woman he loved most in his life. Collette was also known for her kind and compassionate soul. From a young age, many would tell you that she would spend her life caring for others. Her love for the aging population turned career as she spent 34 Years at Saratoga Hospital, ensuring that all of her patients had exactly what they needed. No one knew how to care for a person and make them feel loved like Collette. A remarkable quality that has lived on through her final days. Another place you would find Collette is on the Breezy Pond Farm in Corinth, delivering and caring for birthing goats with her sister Mary. She was the calm in the stalls, ensuring that the mama goats were beautifully cared for.
Collette was predeceased by her father, George Lemelin, her brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Pam Lemelin and her brother-in-law Matthew Starzec.
To Collette, her family was everything and her unwavering love for all was a quality she will be remembered for. Left to cherish her memories are her Husband, Marc Whitney; her mother, Joyce Lemelin; her daughter Amanda (Bobby) Dymond and her son Tyler (Heather) Whitney. Her precious and most loved grandchildren Hunter, Olivia, Callie and Addison. Her siblings, Michele (Herb) Levin, Lori (Richard) Pike, Curt (Donna) Lemelin, Nancy (Steve) Brown, Brian (Hazel) Lemelin, Mary (John) Shippee, Renee (Adam) Hala, and Nicole Starzec. In addition, Collette has many cherished nieces and nephews of whom she loved – near and far and followed closely through pictures on social media. In addition, Collette is survived by her special friend, Ida Ellis.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for Collette’s care team. Lynn Keil, Lori Fitzgerald and Dr. Matthew McDonald and the staff at the Hospice Inn at St.
Peters Hospital. A special thank you to Stones Pharmacy for all of their support. Their dedication to Collette will forever be remembered. You will forever hold a special place
in the hearts of her family for the care and compassion you showed Collette.
At Collette’s request there will be no services, though she asks that you do a kind gesture for another person in her memory. As Collette often said; “be kind”. Listen to a
Willy Nelson song and think fondly of Collette and all of the joy she brought the world.
Donations in Collette’s memory can be made to her favorite organization, one she is so proud of, Southern Adirondack Independent Living at 71 Glenwood Avenue Queensbury
NY 12804 or to a scholarship in Collette’s name through the Kelley Family Charitable Foundation at 16 Fairmount Drive, Gansevoort NY 12831.
“Leave me if you need to, I will still remember Angel flying too close to the ground” -
Willie Nelson

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