BEVERLY: Germaine Corinne (LeBel) Fugere, 97, died Monday, September 26, 2011 following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Angus Edward McCormack and the late Raymond Charles Fugere.
Born in Salem on February 7, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Vital and Josephine (LeBrie) LeBel. At four months of age, following the Great Salem Fire of June 25, 1914, she and her family moved to Beverly which was then home to her for the remainder of her life.
During her working years, she was employed at a local chocolate factory, where she earned the title of “Fancy Chocolate Dipper”. She enthusiastically worked for several years in the cafeterias at North Shore Community College and Salem State College, where she found much enjoyment interacting with all the students.
Germaine was a former communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church, where she was active member of the choir and Lady’s Sodality. She was also a member of the Beverly Senior Center.
At the age of 91, Germaine became a resident of Landmark at Oceanview Senior Living Community, where she felt very much at home and had many enjoyable moments. She continually praised the staff and the chef for his delicious cuisine. She was truly grateful for the kindness and caring shown to her. Being quite active, she took pleasure in helping out in the dining room and setting up for happy hour and other special events, faithfully participated in the exercise programs, frequently played Bingo with the other residents and took great pride in being well dressed each day with her earrings and other jewelry matching her outfits. In March, 2007, she was awarded the Community Star Award for Resident Spirit in which she took great pride. This award was presented to her at a special offsite dinner hosted by the Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association in conjunction with Oceanview. She was congratulated and honored as their Most Valuable Player and thanked for truly “Making a Difference” in the life at Oceanview. Germaine was also known for her appreciation of and enthusiasm for the holidays by decorating her apartment throughout the year. She appreciated her roommate, Deborah for allowing her free rein to decorate their shared space which ultimately they both enjoyed and shared with the other residents. She was also very generous with her hugs for everyone.
She is survived by her six children, Marjorie June Gunn of Danvers, Edward McCormack and his wife, Julia of Ogden, Utah, Elaine Barrett and her husband, James of Lawrence, Patricia Lincoln and her husband, Wayne of Braintree, William McCormack and his fiancé, Deborah Saucier of Milton, NH and Linda Corning and her husband, Gary of Seabrook, NH; two step-children and their families, Richard Fugere and his wife, Elaine of Salem, NH and Laurie Hargraves and her husband, Calvin of Methuen. She was also the proud grandmother of fourteen grandchildren and has twenty-five wonderful great-grandchildren. Germaine is also survived by two sisters, Mary Jane Chalupowski of Salem and Loretta Dionne of Beverly, many nieces, nephews and her dear friend of many years, Mary McCarthy of Beverly. She was also predeceased by her three brothers, Laurent, Euclid and Leo LeBel, four sisters, Yvonne Deschene, Grace Walker, Pauline Smorczewski and Marion Hillery and a son-in-law, Charles T. Gunn.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday in the St. John the Evangelist Church, New Balch St., Beverly at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to the Mass in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly from 11 – 12:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Beverly Firefighters Relief Fund, c/o TD Bank, 175 Cabot St., Beverly or to the Beverly Bootstraps, Food Pantry Program, 371 Cabot St., Beverly, MA 01915.