Claire Jocelyn (LaBossiere) Sawtelle 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, March 19, 2016. Born in Woonsocket, RI, March 8, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Cora (Cartier) LaBossiere, and sister of the late Annette A. Crepeau. She was the beloved wife of the late George F. Sawtelle Sr. for forty years, who predeceased her in 1995.
Claire attended St. Ann’s School and was a graduate of Woonsocket High School, Class of 1947. She attended local colleges and received education in finance and accounting. After exchanging her marriage vows in 1954 at St. Ann’s Church, to George Sr., they lived in Woonsocket, RI before moving to Blackstone, MA in 1964 with their young family. Claire held office management and analyst positions at several insurance and accounting offices. Before her retirement in 1992 she was the business manager at Woonsocket Health Center and Pezzelli Nursing Homes, for over sixteen years. She enjoyed traveling, was an avid reader and a woman of great faith. She volunteered for multiple charities including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for whom she volunteered for over twenty five years. She was a giving person who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and will be dearly missed.
Claire leaves two sons, George F. Sawtelle Jr. and his fiancée Mary Lou Donlon of Blackstone, MA and Alfred P. Sawtelle and his wife Nancy of Grafton, MA, a daughter Ruth
A. Sawtelle of Blackstone, MA three grandchildren, Meaghan, Lindsey, and Kyle and several nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by a grandson, Matthew.
Claire’s health declined in recent years but she remained independent at home with the last phase of her life spent with George Jr. and Mary Lou who became Claire’s main caregiver. Claire and her family will forever remember this unconditional commitment of support and love.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday March 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home 463 South Main St. Woonsocket, RI with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s Church, 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone, MA. Burial will be held in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Blackstone, MA. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend visiting hours Tuesday March 22nd from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions in Claire’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis TN 38101-9908 or www.stjude.org “donate now”.