WORCESTER___Chestnut, Lucille D. (Beriau), 89, of 186 Plantation St., surrounded by her devoted family, was received into the loving arms of the Good Sheperd on Weds. Aug. 31.
She was born in Worcester on April 15, 1916, the eldest daughter of Joseph A. and Delia (Goyette) Beriau. Lucille leaves her husband of 65 years, Frank J. Chestnut, four children, Lucille C. Benbenek and her husband Thomas of Templeton; Paula M. Gates of Worcester; Frank J. Chestnut, Jr., and his wife Diann of Franklin and Marian E. Retherford and her husband, Dr. Roger Retherford of Galena, OH. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Lucille leaves 4 sisters, Rita Beriau, Carol Kane, Marilyn Vranos and Marcia Morin, 5 brothers, Wilfred, Bernard, Joseph, Theodore and Paul Beriau. She is predeceased by 3 siblings, Clodold, Gloria and Arthur Beriau.
Lucille attended Worcester Schools, worked for the WPA as a supervisor of the N.Y.A. Sewing project during the Great Depression. She was a homemaker, accomplished seamstress, a volunteer worker as well as a member of many women’s clubs including the Court of Bishop Wright, Catholic Daughters of America, Dartmouth St. School Mothers Club, the Carroll Club and the Agnetian Club.
She was employed for many years at Richard Healy’s and retired from the former Jordan Marsh Co. Lucille was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Worcester. She enjoyed her family, loved to cook, travel and garden. She will truly be missed by all who knew her caring and generous ways.
After cremation, a funeral Mass will be held on Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, 35 Hamilton St. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Red Cross Hurricane Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St., is directing arrangements.