Constance Juliette (Rainville) Menard, 94, of New Bedford passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at The Royal of Fairhaven. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph “Roger” Menard. She was the eldest of five children born to Irene and Josephat Rainville.
Connie was a devoted and loving mother, Memere, and Grand-Memere. Her home was her heart where everyone was welcome to share a story and a meal. She was a caregiver to all who crossed her threshold. A child of the depression, she was a marvel at recycling, and reuse. Connie could stretch a budget, re-engineer clothing, whip up a mean chocolate cake, and bake the best tourtiere ever. She was a faithful Catholic and first pew dweller; recipient of the Marian Medal, a longstanding member of the Sacred Heart Church choir, Les Dames de Saint Anne, and a tireless worker for many church functions. Connie was well known for her lovely singing voice; in the 40’s she sang on stage for the war effort, at home for the delight of her neighbors, their children, and her own family. She knew all the words to all the songs, and nurtured her children’s love of music.
She is survived by her children, Constance and her husband John Whalen, Richard and his wife Karla, Marc and his wife Donna, Rachelle Menard, Pierre Menard, and Claudette Menard and her husband John Sheridan; her grandchildren, Jessica, Erin, Danielle, Justin, Renee, Sara, Joseph, Devon, Denelle, Lucas, Benjamin, Robert, and Jennifer; fourteen great-grandchildren; her sister, Rolande Letourneau, sister-in-laws Lillian Rainville and Mary Rainville, and numerous loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Claire (Rainville) Thuot, Raymond Rainville, Charles Rainville and her grandson Geoffrey Menard.
Our family would like to thank the entire staff at The Royal of Fairhaven for their loving, compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Connie’s name to The St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.
Family and friends may gather for visitation on Monday, October 2, 2017 between 7:45 – 8:45 A.M. at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford at 9:00 A.M. Burial will be private at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.