1932 – 2012
Putnam – Claire (Bessette) St. Jean, 79, of Perry St., died Friday, February 17, 2012 in her home with her loving family surrounding her. She was the loving wife of Gerald G. St. Jean. Born in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Blanche (Cote) Bessette.
Mrs. St. Jean worked as an administrative assistant with Family Services for the State of Connecticut. She also worked for the Clerk of Courts, and Loos & Co.
Mrs. St. Jean loved playing bingo, especially enjoying the many friends she met at the local bingo games. She was a huge supporter of her children and grandchildren’s athletic and musical endeavors. She was a “Den Mother” for many years to hundreds of football players for the St. Mary’s Crusaders’ that she and her husband Gerald founded. They were co-founders of and publishers of the “Sportlight Magazine.” Claire and her family were very talented musically. She enjoyed playing the piano and was a choir member for many years in St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation. She was an avid bowler throughout her life. She bowled with the “Bowlerettes,” and continued in various leagues until quite recently. She appeared on Candlepins for Cash in the early 1970’s. She also enjoyed taking pictures, leaving her family with a lifetime of memories. Claire will always be remembered for her kind, friendly, caring manner and her beautiful contagious smile; always being the “eternal optimist.”
Claire was a communicant of Saint Mary Church of the Visitation. She was a past president of the C.S.E.A. She was an Ambassador for the Deary Memorial Road Race and participated in the annual Relay for Life.
In addition to her husband, Claire is survived by her sons, Kevin St. Jean and his wife Nancy of Brooklyn, Timothy St. Jean and his wife Vicki of Putnam, and James St. Jean and his wife Debra of East Killingly; her daughter, Laurie Sevigny and her husband Michael of Riverside, RI; her brother, Richard Bessette of FL; her sisters, Alice Coderre of Putnam, and Rita Johnsen of FL; her grandchildren, Sadie, Andrew, Seth, Nicholas, Jillian, and Krista; her step granddaughter, Sarah; and her step-great granddaughter Ella. She was predeceased by her brothers, the late Adrian Bessette and George Bessette; and her lifelong friend, the late Harriette Drinan.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Claire’s family from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin at 9:30 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Memorial donations may be made in Claire’s name to the DKH Deary Memorial Road Race or to Hospice of NECT, both at P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
marietta caye
Dear kevin, timmy, jimmy, and laurie,
my love and sympathy go out to you and your family, at this time . auntie claire, was a wonderfull woman so happy and warm all the time, it was a pleasure to know her.
love, marietta caye,sarah mignault, and judith nilsen she will be sorely missed.
Judy & Paul Randall
Dear Laurie and family:
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. May the love you shared with your mother live forever in your heart.
At this time of sorrow we are thinking of you with sympathy, love and friendship as we share in your grief. Mother’s are special. and Claire was one very special mom. With Sympathy, the Randall’s
Donald & Denise
To the St. Jean Family
Our deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of your mother, grandmother and aunt. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. Claire was truly a beautiful, caring and loving person, always sharing her beautiful smile. We will all miss her.
Donald & Denise St.Onge
Charlene & Ed Durand
Our condolences to all of you. Claire is one of the sweetest people we have ever met. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
Deborah Lavallee
Dear Laurie & Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences. I remember hearing you talk about your mom and she was such a loving, wonderful woman. My heart goes out to you all. Mom’s are such special gifts from God. Hold the memories close and they will help you through this difficult time. Although your mom is in heaven, know that she is still with you. Sending big hugs,
Deb Lavallee
Terry Belanger
Dear Kevin and family,
My most sincere condolences to all of you. My prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Trust and take comfort in knowing that she is now happy with our Lord and enjoying everlasting peace. She will always remain a part of you.
Terry Belanger
Deb, Rick, Craig and Jason Cyr
Jim, Deb, Andrew, Nick and the entire St. Jean family,
Our love and prayers are sent your way at this difficult time. Claire was a special woman in so many ways. She will live on in the hearts of so many. She touched so many lives. May all the wonderful memories provide you strength and comfort.
Deb, Rick, Craig and Jason
Christine Jackel
Kevin, I am so sorry to read of the loss of your mother. My sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. Christine Jackel
Barbara Guyer
Dear Kevin and family,
You and your family are in my prayers at this difficult time. You have my deepest sympathy.
Barbara
frank mc nally
gerry, Bev and I share this time of grief with you. We have fond memories of being with you two at sports events,. She was a great gal and will be missed by her many friends. I am sure that she wil be given a place of honor in that house not made by human hands, eternal in the heavens.
Frank & Bev
The Harper Family
Laurie, Mike, Jillian & Krista,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May you all find comfort in the loving memories you shared and knowing you will all be together again one day. Love conquers all and is a bond that will never be broken. Your Mom/Memere was a wonderful woman and a true inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. With Friendship & Love- Dave, Sandy, Jared & Brianne
Nancy Noon Wolfe
To the St. Jean family -My mom and I are so sorry to hear about Claire. She worked with my mom, Linda, at Family Services and both my parents and myself knew what a special person this lady was. She was always so happy and full of life. May she finally be at peace. God truly has a special angel in Heaven now.
From Nancy Noon Wolfe and Linda Noon
Kevin & Diane Kozaczka
Our deepest sympathy to your entire family. Claire was a very inspiring beautiful lady and it was privledge to have known her. God’s blessings on you all~
Nick LaCasse
Dear Kevin, Timmy,Jimmy, Laurie, and entire St. Jean Family,
I am so very sorry to hear about your wonderful Mother, Claire. She was such a beautiful lady, inside and out. I have missed her and all of you over the past years. But you have always been in my thoughts. There is no doubt that your Mom is in Heaven and God is keeping her safe. My thoughts and prayers are with her and all of you. If I can help in any way, please let me know. May Claire rest in Peace. God has his new Angel:)
Sincerly and lovingly,
Nick
Colleen
Laurie, Michael, Jillian and Krista,
We are so sad to hear about your mother’s/grandmother’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. It is never easy to lose someone that we love and they do live on in our memories…take things one day at a time.
With sympathy, Colleen, David and Ashley Keane
marian smat
she is at Peace and singing with Sister Gert and the angels 🙂
Kellie King
Dear Kevin and family,
My most sincere condolences to all of you. My prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
May you find comfort in the many memories that were created while she was here on earth; although her physical presence may not be felt, her voice, scent, touch and wisdom will forever remain alive in the hearts and minds of all those who were lucky enough to have met her.
Kellie King
Sandra Pickering
Kevin & family,
My heartfelt condolences to your and your family during this difficult time. It is great to remember all the good times that you have had and celebrate her life. You all will be in our prayers.
Sandi
Rob & Chris Gosselin
Dear Jim, Laurie, Kevin, and Tim ~
May you find comfort in knowing Mom is at peace, and is singing with the angels..and yes, Sister Gert. She was a very special lady who touched many lives along her journey…sharing her great family stories about all her children with her infectious smile. Her legacy lives on in all of you. God Bless her, Dad, and you all…
Rob, Chris, Andrew, & Heather
Gary & Heather
You guys are all in our thoughts and prayers. Your mom & memere was a very special lady. The eternal optimist, with the contagious laugh and ever-ready camera! She will be deeply missed, but there are so many wonderful memories to hang onto and cherish! Bless you and rest easy Aunt Claire.
Gary & Heather
Mukesh Dhingana
Dear Laurie and family:
My deepest condolences to you and your family. You have my deepest sympathy. My prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Mukesh Dhingana
Pete & Cil Bellerive
We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at this most difficult time. She was a special person. May your loving memories of her help you through the coming days. Sincerely Pete & Cil
Pete & Cil Bellerive
Dear Jim Deb and family. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at this most difficult time. She was a special person. May your loving memories of her help you through the coming days. Sincerely Pete & Cil
Donna & Steve LaPointe
Jim & family:
We are very sorry for your loss. Your Mom will be remembered as an extremely kind and caring soul.
Laurie Sevigny
I thank God for blessing me and my family with a woman who embodied the meaning of love:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians
I am proud to be a part of you, Mom. I will miss you every day of my life, and will try to do my best to honor your memory by being the person you would be proud of. “I love you to pieces and to my heart.”
Your “little petunia”, Laurie