SEARSPORT — Jeannette Marie (Perkins) LaVerdiere, 66, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Sussman House in Rockport. Jeannie had a lengthy battle of ongoing health problems. Her sister Lori was by her side when she took her last breath and started her journey to heaven.

Born on May 16, 1958 Jeannie was the middle daughter of Preston and Carolyne Payson Perkins.

Jeannie lived on Holmes Street in Rockland for her entire childhood. She attended Rockland schools starting with South School, then to Rockland Junior High, and onto Rockland District High School graduating with the Class of 1977.

Growing up in the South End of Rocklands meant she traveled in a large pack of neighbors, friends, sisters, and cousins, who enjoyed sledding on Pill Hill, ice skating on the Thomaston Street skate pond, roller skating at the Rockland Rec Center, swimming at South End Beach, hanging out at Purchase Street playground, and neighborhood baseball games where more than one baseball slammed its way through the South School windows.

Jeannie was a baptized member of Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church where she attended with her family every Sunday. She never missed Sunday School, Church, Youth Group, and Vacation Bible School in the summertime.

Being the crazy middle sister in a family of five girls had its challenges. Jeannie not only held her own but more often than not was the instigator of the chaos. She was loud, opinionated, and wasn’t shy about making herself heard. But the Perkins girls were five strong and we always had each other’s back. When you messed with one, you answered to all. They were a team.

In 1977 Jeannie married Robert Collins in Warren. Together they started a family, first with son Casey, and then later a daughter Becky.

After divorcing, Jeannie married Rick McLaughlin and moved to Camden. Jeannie worked at the McLaughin’s restaurant the Lobster Pound in Lincolnville from 1982-1986.

Jeannie’s third marriage to Mike Durkee landed her on Islesboro where she worked as a private chef for Mrs. Owsley for over twenty years. She had a close relationship with Mrs. Owsley and catered many fancy parties at her home.

Jeannie and sister Lori shared a home in Searsport for years. In the end Lori became her caregiver, devoting her time, energy, love, and commitment to her wellbeing until the time of her death.

Predeceased by her father, Preston Perkins; her sister Susan Kohls Bartlett; and a brother-in-law, Lonnie Morton; Jeannie is survived by her mom, Carolyne Perkins of Rockland; three of her four sisters, Kathy Morton, Julie Bemis and her husband Mark, Lori Feener; her son, Casey Collins; daughter Becky Ortiz and her husband Roberto; grandsons, Noah Collins, Devin Collins and his partner Ian Steiger; step-granddaughter Christine Ortiz with whom she had a special relationship; her bonus grandchildren, Alyssa and Eli Lambeth whom she loved unconditionally; and an unlimited supply of aunts, uncles, cousins, too many to name.

Jeannie preferred not to have a funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer at a family camp. Information and date will be announced at a later time.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.