ORMONDA BEACH, FL - Claire E. (LaFountain) Lavallee, 83, of Ormond Beach, FL and a longtime resident of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, March 24, 2017. She passed into Eternal Life at the Halifax Health Hospice in Ormond Beach surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and her wonderful caregivers. She was born on July 30, 1933 at 47 Olivine Street in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, a beloved daughter of the late Mitchell S. and Cecile (Rouillard) LaFountain. She was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School in 1951 and had lived in Chicopee for many years. Claire and her late husband, Donald, wintered in Pompano Beach, FL. Following his passing, she moved to Florida where she lived for the remainder of her life. She was employed as a Social Worker and later became the first Truant Officer in Chicopee. She later transferred to West Springfield and continued working as a Truant Officer until her retirement. She was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, J. A. Donald Lavallee. They were married on June 25, 1955 at the former Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 47 years of happiness together. She leaves her two loving daughters, Suzanne G. Lavallee and her longtime companion, Sherri Fullen, and Karen M. Smith and her longtime companion, Richard Rowe, all of Ormond Beach; her cherished grandson, Michael B. Smith of Saint Augustine, FL; her dear brother-in-law, Roger Aubrey of Lewes, DE; her dear aunt, Gloria Dynik of Chicopee; her three dear nieces; and her many dear cousins, friends and extended members of the Lavallee, LaFountain and Rouillard families. She also leaves her beloved canine companion, “Baby”. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her dear sister, Doris Ann LaFountain who was Called Home in 1969. Her funeral will be held on Friday morning, March 31, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located at the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Halifax Hospice, 235 Booth Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com
