Joanne Ruby Collagan

Obituary for Joanne Collagan, Stuart, Florida

It is with profound sadness we announce that Joanne Ruby Collagan, 86, of Stuart, Florida, passed from this earth on December 25, 2025, after a 14 month battle with cancer. As someone who had such a strong faith, it is appropriate that she passed on this holy day. Joanne was born on October 6, 1939 in Taunton, Massachusetts to Jeanette Goodwin and Norman Mitchell. She spent her formative years in Massachusetts, attending high school at Thayer Academy in Braintree, and receiving her nursing diploma from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

After marrying her first husband in the late 1950s, Vasillios (Bill) Nickologianes, Joanne resided in Dracut, MA for more than 20 years, where she raised her three children Paula, Stephen, and William. During this time she worked as a registered nurse at St. John's Hospital in Lowell.

In 1986, Joanne married Ted Collagan and moved to Plymouth, MA. There she successfully ran her own company, Spread Ums, for several years. The popular and delicious cheese spreads, which she made in a commercial kitchen, were sold at several grocery stores and local markets in the Cape Cod area.

In Plymouth and later Carver, MA, Joanne actively volunteered for her church's prison fellowship. She also loved gardening, cooking for gatherings with friends and family, and sports. In fact, she was a lifelong avid Boston sports fan, cheering on the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins – even after she and Ted retired and moved to Florida.

Joanne was a resident of Riverland Park, in Stuart, FL for the last 25 years, where she was extremely active. She served on the Board of the Park for 10 years, most of this time as Board Secretary, and eventually serving as Board President. She enjoyed boating and biking with Ted and their friends, and was a member of the local bowling league. She was also active in her church - Christ Fellowship in Stuart.

Joanne was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Vasillios Nickologianes; and her husband of 36 years, Ted Collagan. She is survived by her sister, Ruby Pearl, of MA, as well as her three children, Paula Nickologianes of Florida; Steve Nickologianes and his wife, Lisa Karakostas, of NH; and Billy Nickologianes of Maine. She also leaves behind three step daughters, Susan Marx and her husband Bob of MA; Sharon Collagan of MA; and Sheila Barry and her husband Jim of FL; as well as three step-grandchildren, Madeline and Brett Marx of MA and Alexandra Cafferella of NH. She is also survived by several cousins and many close friends, including her dear friend Polly Ann Brown, of Stuart, FL – to whom the family expresses extreme gratitude for caring for Joanne during her lengthy illness.

Joanne's smile, strong faith, kindness, and outgoing personality will be sorely missed by all who knew her. At her request there will not be any services. Memorial donations may be made to Treasure Cost Hospice in Stuart, FL or to Christ Fellowship Church in Stuart, FL.

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