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Born: 1914  Just before noon on Fri., July 24, God quietly wrapped his arms around Claire Leblond-Richer and took her home. She was 95. Claire was born on Feb. 14, 1914, in Ste. Agathe-des-Mont in northern Quebec. She was the seventh of 10 children, and in the late 1920s the family moved to LaSalle, a suburb on the island of Montreal. Claire married William Richer in 1939 and the union resulted in two sons – Jacques and Rene. She worked as a payroll clerk at Dominion textiles, and later manager of a large and popular restaurant in downtown Montreal. She was widowed in 1973, and after she retired from the world of 'busy', would spend her days with a close friend busily window-shopping in the ever-expanding Montreal. In winter she would join the annual 'cavalcade' of Quebeckers that headed south to Florida, and in the summer, she'd head to Alberta to spend time with family. In 1994, Claire pulled up her Quebec roots and moved to Slave Lake to be with son Jacques and family. She quickly developed friends in this community and was often seen walking with them to the (Sawridge Plaza) mall, checking for bargains or 'hanging out' and drinking coffee when she got there. By this time our beloved Nanny had three grand-daughters and a grandson. Always the story teller, she would entertain them for hours with stories of days gone by, often while making a batch of her famous homemade soup, or playing cards. Soon there would be great-grandchildren with which to share her time and stories – and nearly two years ago she was blessed with the first of two great-great-grandchildren. Just over a year later the second great-great-granddaughter arrived, and her first road trip was to Slave Lake to meet and spend time with her dear Nanny. Claire moved to Vanderwell Heritage Place in 1999, again enlarging her circle of friends. And four years ago she took up residence at the Slave Lake health care centre's long term wing where she was often seen roaming the halls of the entire hospital – "singing for the old people," she would say. And when it was time for mass back in long-term, she was always up front, helping the priest by singing part of the service – in Latin. Claire leaves to mourn her passing: one son Jacques and his wife Marilyn; granddaughters Suzanne, Jacqueline, Diane and grandson Lenny (Jamie); great-grandchildren Cassy (Andy), Justin, Courtney, Josh, Shawn, Kaitlyn and Nikki; and great-great-granddaughters Kiana and Arianna. She also leaves one sister Beatrice (Marcel) Duhamel and their daughter Carole in Montreal; many nieces and nephews; and friends in Slave Lake too numerous to list. She was predeceased by her husband William in 1973 and son Rene in 1978. Funeral services were held Fri., July 31 at St. Peter Celestin Church in Slave Lake. Internment will take place later in Ste. Agathe. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate do so to a charity of their choice. | |||||||||||||||||||
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