NORTH DARTMOUTH - Claire Emma Marie Louise (Gervais) Morel, 80, departed for Heaven from the warm and caring home of her daughter, Renee, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, April 1st, following a long, heroic battle with cancer. Claire was the wife of the late George A. Morel. Born and raised in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Daniel Gervais and Doris (Muenier) Gervais.
Claire was a full-time mother and homemaker until her children were school-aged. She was then hired as a scheduler at Special Care Home Health where she was elevated to the position of Branch Manager. Claire remained in that position until retirement age. She was instrumental in turning Special Care into one of the most successful and well respected agencies in the New Bedford area.
After retirement, Claire became a secretary at the Grace Episcopal Church where she worked until her illness made it necessary for her to resign in 2015. Her zest for life and many interests were endless. Her love for traveling, shopping, decorating and attending plays and musicals was only rivaled by the absolute enjoyment she derived by time spent with family and friends, and sometimes just listening to music while watching her treasured hummingbirds.
Those Claire has regretfully left behind include her four children, daughters: Cheryl Carvalho and her husband Joe, Renee Callinan and her husband Paul, Jacqueline Morel and her companion, Frank Rose, Jr, and her son, Glenn Morel; seven beloved grandchildren: Frank Morel, Justine Morel (who selflessly devoted serene companionship and love to her adored Memere), Amanda Tansey and her husband Jarrid, Kailey Morel, Alexis Morel, Jenna Carvalho and Melanie Fucillo. Claire's three great-grandchildren (Mem's little angels) are Mariah and Camryn Morel and their mother, Jessica Tavares, and Jace Tansey. Claire is also survived by her cousin, Lucille Barbero, her sisters-in-law: Sandra Morel, (wife of the late Robert Morel), Doris Hess, her brother-in-law, William Morel, and his wife Yvonne and many nieces and nephews; as well as her many, many friends including her dearest friend, Kerry Jussaume.
Visiting hours will be on Monday, April 11, 2016 from 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Wilson's Chapel, 479 County Street, New Bedford MA.
A service in celebration of Claire's life will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 11:00AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School Street, New Bedford MA. After the service, all are welcome to remain, where we can enjoy refreshments as we share our many fond memories.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Claire's name to: Grace in Community Restoration Fund. Donations will be gratefully accepted by members of the family or through Grace Episcopal Church.