Claire DesVergnes Obituary (1931) - Attleboro, Massachusetts

It is with profound sadness that the family of Claire G. DesVergnes (Charron) announces her peaceful passing on Monday, January 4, 2021 at the age of 89 years young. Claire was born on November 8, 1931 in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She was the youngest child born to the late Victor and Alice (Bessette) Charron. After the unexpected death of her mother Alice when she was five, Claire and her siblings were raised predominantly by her older sister, the late Mary Jane Charron. As a young child, she excelled at St. Joseph’s school where she spoke French, her first language. She graduated from Attleboro High School with honors and continued on to become an assistant to the President of a local bank. In 1951, Claire met her husband, Roger G. DesVergnes through Roger’s sister who was a high school friend of Claire’s. The two dated for five years and were married on November 10,1956. They went on to have seven children; Alice, Paulette, Michelle, Roger, Nicole, Roxanne and John. Claire had resided in the Attleboro area all of her life where she raised her family and assisted her husband with his construction and real estate companies. In addition to raising her children, Claire enjoyed all of life had to offer. You knew it was Claire driving down the road when you saw her car with the reflection from her mail on the dashboard, her colorful beret on her head parted to the side like the fashionable French woman she was, her favorite lipstick of the day, and of course, her oversized movie star sunglasses. She was an avid reader who read everything from classic novels to her encyclopedias to gossip magazines. She enjoyed attending live musical theater with her family and would sing along to the songs. She loved cooking for her large family. Her specialities were her Sunday breakfast crêpes, her famous Galumpki’s and her over the top Christmas eggnog. She once said that she cannot wait to get to Heaven so she could eat all the hot bread and butter, one of her favorite foods. She was the proud owner of one of the first Singer sewing machines. She spent many hours creating her family’s curtains, quilts and her children's clothing. She even had her hand in designing her house in 1967. Inspired by her favorite poem, “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer, each room contained a particular type of wood panelling to reflect her love of life and God. Claire frequently vacationed with her children and grandchildren to Walt Disney World, where she was a season pass holder for many years. She explored France, Vatican City (at 81 years old!), Spain, Italy, and even Cancun with her daughters. She always decided what her favorite part of the trip was based on the food she ate during her time there. Throughout her entire life, Claire held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Rhode Island, St. Joseph’s, St. John The Evangelist and La Salette churches in Attleboro and would attend mass frequently. Claire and her eldest daughter Alice once took a pilgrimage to Quebec, Canada where they witnessed Pope John Paul II declare the beatification of her maternal relative, Saint Andre of Montréal. Claire would always sign “JMJ” in reference to “Jesus, Mary, Joseph” next to her name whether it was a birthday card or a check, always with gratitude to God. The untimely disappearance and death of her son Roger in 1998, deepened her belief in the Catholic faith. Claire believed that the nine months that Roger was missing was connected to the nine months it took to create his life. This sign from God allowed her to “have nine months to gather my strength,” to be able to come to terms with his tragic death. With this new strength and greater belief in the undoubted signs God was sending her, she said “we are here for a limited time only. We need to make the best of it, and to take good care of others. Treasure your children while you have them.” After Roger’s passing, she turned her attention to helping others by donating to local churches and charities, as well as taking on a bigger role in her children and grandchildren's lives. Claire joins her parents Victor and Alice, her son Roger, her sister Mary Jane Charron and brothers, Lucien, Maurice, Aime-Guy, Henry, Marcel, Leo and Andrew in Heaven. She is survived by her husband Roger, her daughters, Alice Slowey and her husband Tim of Attleboro; Paulette Rioux and her husband Mark of North Attleboro; Michelle Lander; Nicole DesVergnes Christy and her husband Steve of Plainville; Roxanne DesVergnes Pacella and her fiance Rodrigo Montalvo of Seekonk, and son, John DesVergnes and his wife Andrea of Attleboro; her twenty four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who affectionately called her Mémère. Claire’s family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at The Miriam Hospital, HopeHealth Visiting Nurse and HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center for their care, kindness and patience in Claire’s final months. Claire would ask that you say a prayer to Saint Joseph to thank them for their services in helping her find peace and comfort during her time spent with them. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to: La Salette Shrine 947 Park St, Attleboro, MA 02703; St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105; Society of St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Attleboro, 31 Stonefield Court North Attleboro, MA 02760. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private service for immediate family only will be provided by Duffy-Poule services in Attleboro, Massachusetts at a later date. A full celebration of Claire’s life will be held later this year and open to all those who wish to attend. More details to follow. Claire’s family invites you to share a memory of her on her tribute page at www.duffy-poule.com. TREES By Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.