Obituary for Claudette Sears (Bessette)
Claudette Marie Sears, 71, passed away peacefully on December 27th, in the company of her children, siblings and nieces, following a brief illness complicated by the stroke she suffered 18 years prior. We are filled with peace knowing that she is now whole, able bodied in Christ's image and surrounded by her loved ones that she has missed dearly.
Claudette, or Claudie as she prefered, was born into a large, loving and devout French Canadian Family on June 20th, 1950. She was very proud of her roots and her faith, both which sustained her through all of life's ups and downs. We all have fond memories of her and her siblings speaking in french when they wanted to share something that they didn't want little ears to hear, of large, elaborate Christmas parties dressed in our finest, of midnight mass on Christmas Eve and of baked from scratch blueberry muffins if we woke up too early. Though resources were limited and priorities competing, our Mom made Christmas pure magic while she could.
An empathetic soul with the most sensitive of hearts, she was a champion for the underdog, the lonely, the forgotten. Her plate already overflowing with responsibilities, she would take on more if it meant somebody elses would be lighter. A natural empath, she felt others suffering deeply, often forgetting to tend to her own. This led her to foster care and she was especially proud of opening her home to children who needed a place to stay.
Claudie had a very special relationship with all of her siblings, but was especially close to Joeann and Gail. Gail provided Claudie's home based care for the last 5 years. Gail was not just her youngest sister and home care provider, Gail was a dear and devoted friend who allowed our Mom to have a sense of dignity and quality of life that more than sustained her - it provided her with true joy. Joeann added even more laughter and fun to her days. We, her children, are so very grateful that our Mother was loved so deeply and that she had somebody to continue to give her love to everyday, in the ways that she was able. Thank you Aunt Gail, her earth angel.
Claudie is survived by her children and their families. Jessica Sears, Robert Sears and his wife Megan, Andrea Dion and husband Jeff, Joseph Sears, Paul Sears and wife Melissa. She leaves behind 6 grandchildren - Jordan, Tya and Lyric Sears and Olivia, Cameron and Cooper Dion, her loving siblings Gail, June, Suzette, Gilbert and Bobby, their families and many nieces and nephews, as well as her former husband Bill whom she shared many years with. She was predeceased by her parents Gilbert and Theresa Bessette, her adoring sisters Marie, Louise and Joeann and her beloved nieces and nephew, Melissa, Nichole and Matthew.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Essex Junction VT, on Tuesday, January 4th at 11:00am. Her burial will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Claudie's honor to a charity of your choice that supports those living with disabilities, or children in foster care.
Claudette, or Claudie as she prefered, was born into a large, loving and devout French Canadian Family on June 20th, 1950. She was very proud of her roots and her faith, both which sustained her through all of life's ups and downs. We all have fond memories of her and her siblings speaking in french when they wanted to share something that they didn't want little ears to hear, of large, elaborate Christmas parties dressed in our finest, of midnight mass on Christmas Eve and of baked from scratch blueberry muffins if we woke up too early. Though resources were limited and priorities competing, our Mom made Christmas pure magic while she could.
An empathetic soul with the most sensitive of hearts, she was a champion for the underdog, the lonely, the forgotten. Her plate already overflowing with responsibilities, she would take on more if it meant somebody elses would be lighter. A natural empath, she felt others suffering deeply, often forgetting to tend to her own. This led her to foster care and she was especially proud of opening her home to children who needed a place to stay.
Claudie had a very special relationship with all of her siblings, but was especially close to Joeann and Gail. Gail provided Claudie's home based care for the last 5 years. Gail was not just her youngest sister and home care provider, Gail was a dear and devoted friend who allowed our Mom to have a sense of dignity and quality of life that more than sustained her - it provided her with true joy. Joeann added even more laughter and fun to her days. We, her children, are so very grateful that our Mother was loved so deeply and that she had somebody to continue to give her love to everyday, in the ways that she was able. Thank you Aunt Gail, her earth angel.
Claudie is survived by her children and their families. Jessica Sears, Robert Sears and his wife Megan, Andrea Dion and husband Jeff, Joseph Sears, Paul Sears and wife Melissa. She leaves behind 6 grandchildren - Jordan, Tya and Lyric Sears and Olivia, Cameron and Cooper Dion, her loving siblings Gail, June, Suzette, Gilbert and Bobby, their families and many nieces and nephews, as well as her former husband Bill whom she shared many years with. She was predeceased by her parents Gilbert and Theresa Bessette, her adoring sisters Marie, Louise and Joeann and her beloved nieces and nephew, Melissa, Nichole and Matthew.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Essex Junction VT, on Tuesday, January 4th at 11:00am. Her burial will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Claudie's honor to a charity of your choice that supports those living with disabilities, or children in foster care.