In the early morning hours of Monday, September 1, 2025, Patricia E. DeCollibus passed away peacefully following an acute medical episode. She was 78 years old.
Penny, as she was lovingly known, was born and raised in Framingham, one of five children of the late Salvatore and Phyllis (Seymour) Duca. She attended Framingham Public Schools and graduated with the Framingham High School Class of 1966.
Penny devoted much of her adult life to creating a warm and loving home for her family. For many years, she assisted her husband, John, in the day-to-day operations of his calligraphy business, Beyond Words. With artistic talents of her own, Penny enjoyed crocheting and creating a variety of arts and crafts. She also loved cooking, traveling internationally, and keeping up with current events and politics. True to her Sicilian heritage, there was no need to argue with Penny—it was often easier to admit she had been right all along! She was the light of her family, a true friend, and someone who cherished lifelong connections, maintaining friendships that began in childhood.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, John J. DeCollibus Jr., Penny is survived by three daughters: Lauren Lin and her husband Roger of Northborough; Nicole Moses and her husband Chris of Southborough; and Alison Nimer and her husband Chris of Westborough. She also leaves ten beloved grandchildren: Andrew, Erica, and Eden Lin; Jonathan, Joshua, Jacob, and James Moses; and Sydney, Sienna, and Madison Nimer.
Penny is also survived by her four siblings: James Duca and his wife Maria of Cocoa Beach, FL; Annette Freedman of Long Island, NY; Joseph Duca and his wife Nancy of Ashland; and Robert Duca and his wife Patrice of Franklin. She leaves her sister-in-law, Elena Ghilani and her husband Frank of Ashland; her brother-in-law, Michael DeCollibus and his late wife Cheri of Clearwater, FL; and her sister-in-law, Mary Lou DeCollibus, wife of the late Paul DeCollibus.
A graveside committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road, Southborough. A memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Cross Church, 160 Flanders Road, Westborough.
The DeCollibus family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to The Guild for Human Services, 521 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742 (https://www.guildhumanservices.org/about-guild/donate/tribute-gifts).
Arrangements are under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. To leave a condolence or word of comfort for Penny’s family, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com
(Photo and Obituary via Hays Funeral Home)
