CLAIRE LAFRENIERE (ROCAN)

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CLAIRE LAFRENIERE (nee ROCAN) Peacefully at the Notre Dame Foyer on Monday, March 10, 2003, Mrs. Claire Lafreniere of Somerset, MB passed away at the age of 84 years. She leaves to mourn her passing five children, Jacqueline (Murray) Kilfoyle, Eliette (Denis) Levreault, Lise (Alan) Morhun, Claude (Donna) Lafreniere and Ginette Lafreniere; one son-in-law Henri Pittet; 13 grandchildren, Lisa (Oliver), Marc (Colleen), Aimee (Drew), Melanie (Derek), Kimberly, Kourtenay (Christian James), Darcelle (Chad), Lindsay (Michel), Devon, Michel, Christopher, Janelle and Taylor; and two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Liam. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Roland in 2001; two daughters, Anita in 1972 and Marina in 2000; four sisters, Germaine, Fabiola, Carmel and Colette; and by nine brothers, Cecil, Lionel, Cecil Gustave, Gilles, Yves, Guy, Maurille, Ghislain and Joseph. Claire worked as a telephone operator before marrying Roland and starting their family in Somerset. She would go on to run a restaurant in St. Claude and care for teenage girls in a group home in Winnipeg. They returned to Somerset keeping good friends they had made along the way. Regardless of where they lived, she would come to be known as "Aunty Claire" by all the neighbourhood kids. She was a founding member of the Filles dIsabelle and would selflessly give her time to her community. Claire loved playing cards, baking, bingo, music, dancing and children. She was a kind, generous and giving person who welcomed everyone into her kitchen for a visit over coffee and to share some of her baking and a good laugh. She was the kind of mother that one would aspire to be and a grandmother that you could only wish for. She had a smile that would fill a room, twinkle in her eye and a special gift that made her children believe that they were rich, when really they had very little money. Even through the hard times she picked herself up and carried us all along with her. With a hug and kiss from Claire you knew that you were loved, that she believed in you and that she would be there for you always. Claire passionately loved her husband Roland and they will once again be together to hold each others hand. She was loved and will be sorely missed. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Notre Dame Foyer for their care and kindness. Prayers will be held at Adams Funeral Home on Thursday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated in the Notre Dame de La Nativite Catholic Church in Somerset, MB, on Friday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m., with Fr. Celestin officiating. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Notre Dame Foyer or to the Swan Lake Palliative Care. Adams Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2003