Obituary

Rolande A. Johndro, obituary

Tue, 04/25/2017 - 2:00pm

BOSTON, Mass. — Rolande Ann Johndro, 33, passed away on April 6, 2017, due to complications associated with a cardiac procedure, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, Mass., surrounded by family and a dear friend. Rolande was born June 18, 1983, in Fort Kent, and was the beloved daughter of Stephen and Marcia (Martin) Johndro.

Rolande grew up in St. Francis, and graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 2001. She attended Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, N.H., for two years, then transferred to Lasell College in Newton, Mass., graduating with highest honors in 2005. Rolande recently completed her master's degree in research administration from Emmanuel College, in Boston.

In March 2006 after completing her undergraduate degree, Rolande joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an administrative assistant in the Technology Licensing Office. In October 2006, she was promoted to patent compliance administrator. During her tenure with MIT, Rolande was a two-time recipient of the Infinite Mile Award, which recognizes individuals, or teams, who have made extraordinary contributions within their own organizations. She was also a valued presenter at the annual Association of University Technology Manager's conference. For more than a decade, Rolande played a pivotal role in compliance with each of the more than 10,000 patents filed at the MIT Technology Licensing office, through her meticulous attention to detail.

Most recently, Rolande became TLO's voice regarding proposed changes to the federal law governing technology licensing. Her suggestions became part of a broader response from universities and organizations, including the Association of American Universities and the Council on Governmental Relations.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Rolande enjoyed visiting lighthouses along the Maine coast with her parents, and was proud of being the favorite "Tauntie" to her nieces and nephews. She was most at home in her Fenway neighborhood apartment with her cat, Pacey James. From there, she frequented many Red Sox games and passionately followed the New England Revolution and Team USA Soccer. Rolande made numerous friends who will never forget her loyalty and her fondness of Prosecco and flip flops. She will also be remembered for being an avid reader, an exceptional writer and her capacity to speak her mind.

Rolande is survived by her parents, Stephen and Marcia Johndro of Rockport; her brothers, Kevin Johndro and his children, Justin, Camden, Aden and Kaitlyn, and Kenneth Johndro and his wife, Suzanne, and their children, Spencer, James "JT" and Cleo, all of Rockport; her sister, Carrie Campagna and her husband, Dean, and their children Andrew "Drew" and Cohen, of Franklin, Mass.; and her paternal grandmother, Annette Johndro of Limestone.

In Maine, a memorial service followed by a reception will be held at Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St. in Rockport. Shuttle parking will be available at Pen Bay Oil/Graffam's Seafood, 11 Camden St. in Rockport.

In Massachusetts, the memorial service will be held Saturday, May 20, at noon at the MIT Chapel, 50 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, Mass.

Rolande always had a love for animals. Her cherished cat, Pacey James, was adopted from the Animal Rescue League in Boston. Memorial donations may be made to Animal Rescue League, 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116; MSPCA Angel, 350 South Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02130; PAWS, P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856; or Pope Memorial Animal Shelter of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home.