Mrs. Claire V. Plourde

September 10, 1919 - September 4, 2018

Claire V. Plourde Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt DRACUT—Claire V. (Ouellette) Plourde, age 98, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. She was the loving wife for 73 years of Norman J. Plourde. Claire and Norman had been one of the oldest married couples in the town of Dracut. Claire V. Ouellette was born in Nashua, NH on September 10, 1919, a daughter of the late Sylvio and Delisca (Lesage) Ouellette. She was a graduate of St. Francis Parochial School in Nashua, NH and St. Joseph’s High School in Lowell, where she studied business and secretarial courses. Claire was a member of the National Honors Society while at St. Joseph’s High School. Following her schooling, Claire was employed in the mills at the Newmarket Manufacturing Company of Lowell as a Cloth Inspector. Claire was employed there for eight years, and one of her duties was inspecting parachutes during WWII. She then went on to work for J. P. Stevens Company in Dracut as a Corporate Secretary, a job she held for over ten years. Claire met her husband Norman on a blind date to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on the Fourth of July, 1942. They dated for three years, and married on May 26, 1945 at St. Louis de France Church in Lowell. The newlyweds made their home in Centralville for a short time, before Norman built them a house in Dracut in 1950, where they raised their family and Claire lived happily for the rest of her life. Claire was a communicant of Ste. Therese Church in Dracut for many years, before attending at Ste. Marie’s Church in South Lowell, where Fr. Donald Lozier, OMI is stationed. Claire enjoyed cooking, especially for the holidays, shopping with her granddaughter, and dining out. Claire and Norman had many delicious meals with family and friends at the Green Ridge Turkey Farm Restaurant and at The Modern Restaurant, both in Nashua. She loved music and was talented enough to play the guitar, piano, and organ. As a young woman, Claire won first place in a singing contest on the radio, earning a grand prize of a new pair of shoes! Claire traveled to France with the Cercle Jeanne Mance de Lowell, an organization she held membership with for many years. Claire also traveled to Canada with her husband Norman, to visit relatives. They also took many leisurely trips to the beach and the mountains. She also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. Claire was an animal lover, but especially loved her dogs. She also enjoyed watching and talking to the birds around her yard. As a devoted grandmother, Claire helped to raise her only grandchild, Kristina. Their bond was a special one, with mutual adoration, respect and a deep love for each other like none other. Claire is survived by her husband of 73 years and her true love, Norman J. Plourde; her two children, David N. Plourde and his wife Priscilla A. (Boissonneault) Plourde of Dracut, and Suzanne G. Connors and her significant other, Charles “Chuck” Monoxelos of Litchfield, NH; her granddaughter, Kristina B. Virella and her husband Towee M. Virella of Lowell; her three great grandchildren, Anthony M. Virella, Erika S. Virella, and Aidan L. Virella, all of Lowell; her sister, Rita C. Netto, age 97, of Nashua, formerly of Dracut; her brother, Roland J. Ouellette, age 94, of Nashua; several nieces and nephews; her former daughter-in-law, Suzan (Thivierge) Costa of Lowell; her dear friend, Catherine Hebert, and many good friends from Summit. Claire was the sister of the late Estelle Y. Ducharme, and the sister-in-law of the late Henry A. Ducharme, George Netto, Doris Ouellette, Theresa Sawyer, Gloria Hamel, Robert Plourde, Maurice Plourde, Charlie Plourde, and Roger Plourde. FUNERAL NOTICE PLOURDE—In Dracut, September 4, 2018, peacefully at her home, Claire V. (Ouellette) Plourde, age 98, the beloved wife of Norman J. Plourde. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNRAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on FRIDAY from 4 PM until 8 PM. Claire’s Funeral will begin on SATURDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at HOLY FAMILY PARISH – STE. MARIE’S CHURCH, corner of Chamberlain and Grafton Sts. Lowell. Her burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, E. Chelmsford. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Claire’s memory may be made to Summit ElderCare Lowell, 1081 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com