Marie McCollum

Marie was born in New Rochelle, New York, on November 29, 1958, to Bernard F. Blaney and Mary Giraud Blaney. She graduated from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle in 1976, where she actively participated in school activities and athletics and forged many enduring lifelong friendships. Marie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The College of New Rochelle.

Following college, Marie joined United Parcel Service (UPS) in Greenwich, Connecticut, and embarked on a successful 34-year career. She began as an administrative assistant, transitioned to driving a package truck delivering packages, and subsequently moved into HR management. Marie was promoted to several positions of increasing responsibility within UPS, including three relocations, before coming to Atlanta, where she finished her career as a director of human resources at UPS Corporate Headquarters and then retired in 2015.

Marie was active in the Atlanta community as well. She is a former trustee of Quality Care for Children in Atlanta, a long-time participant in the Marist School Women’s Build for Habitat to Humanity, and, along with her husband, Roger, a member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta Tocqueville Society. She was also an active member of All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, GA, and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta, GA.

Marie’s greatest joy and devotion was to her family. Affectionately known as ReRe by her siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, she could be best described as having a big personality. Always fun, welcoming, caring, compassionate, and occasionally, perhaps frequently mischievous, she lit up every room she entered throughout her life. In addition to her life in Atlanta, Marie enjoyed many years of family and friend memories at Lake Rabun in Georgia and Amelia Island in Florida.

Marie was preceded in death by her father, Bernard F. Blaney, and her first husband, Thomas Chesnard. She is survived by her husband, Roger McCollum; children, Michael McCollum (Megan), Kathleen McCollum Duncan (Thomas), Thomas Chesnard (Lauren), Madeline Chesnard Turner (Clay); nine grandchildren, ages nine months through eleven years; mother, Mary Giraud Blaney; brothers, Bernie Blaney (Tracy), Joseph Blaney (Meg); and sisters, Jeannie Kennedy (Pat), Theresa Childs (Bill), and Cathy Cuddihy (John), along with many nieces, nephews, and their children.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in memory of Marie to the following organizations:

The Marie McCollum Memorial Education Fund of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. www.UofA-Foundation.org

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. In memory of Marie McCollum www.theaftd.org

Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. In memory of Marie McCollum. www.marist.com

Lake Rabun Foundation, P.O. Box 114, Lakemont, GA 30552-0002. In memory of Marie McCollum.