Jeanne Marie (Dupont) LeLacheur, 92, a lifelong Lowell resident, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Raymond E. LeLacheur with whom she would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this coming October.
A daughter of the late Edward Dupont and the late Rena (Masse) Christian, she was born on April 16, 1929, in Lowell, and was raised and educated in the city attending St. Patrick Grammar School and graduating from Lowell High School. She then attended Lowell Textile Evening School, studying art.
Jeanne worked as a manager of the candy department at the Giant Store for four years before becoming a dental assistant at the age of 23, and with a sense of humor, felt she might be now helping to fill some of the teeth for people to whom she sold a lot of candy. She loved her dental assistant position and worked with Dr. Morris in Lowell for many years. With her background in art, she made and painted small model toys for children coming to the office to relieve some of their dental anxiety, and brought her creative talents in art and interior decorating into the office, painting soothing colors on the walls. Jeanne was active in the Massachusetts Dental Assistants Association and was a Branch Secretary for several terms. She later taught art for a number of years at the Ernest Herman School in Lowell, eventually becoming the school secretary before her retirement in the 1980’s.
In addition, she loved to sing and belonged to several area choirs. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Canada and Scituate where she painted and set off on ‘art tours’ of the areas. She also was an active member of the Chelmsford Senior Center.
Jeanne had a special place in her heart for animals, especially cats and birds, and she loved feeding the birds. Additionally, she enjoyed knitting, was a great seamstress, loved to walk the boulevard along the Merrimack River, and loved time spent at the family trailer at Seabrook Beach. In her long and blessed life, art and family were her world, her children and grandchildren were her greatest works of art.
Besides her loving husband, Raymond, she is survived by her children, Daniel F. LeLacheur and his wife, Nancy, of Reading, Joyce A. Leahy and her husband, Daniel, of Lowell, Ann Marie Rindo and her significant other, Anthony Forrester, of Lowell, and Patricia J. DeMichelis and her husband, Alan, of Loudon, NH; her nine grandchildren, Aaron LeLacheur, Adam LeLacheur, Amanda Leahy, Michael Leahy, and Sarah Leahy, James Rindo and Kathryn Rindo, and Ashley DeMichelis and Christa DeMichelis; her cousin, Robert Masse; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother in law, the late Edward A. and Eileen LeLacheur.
Her family would like to express their gratitude to her wonderful caregivers over the years.
You are invited to her calling hours from 4 until 8 p.m. on Monday, August 23.
On Tuesday, August 23, her funeral will begin at 10 a.m. at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816. Her funeral Mass will be offered at Holy Family Parish, 75 Chamberlain St., Lowell at 11 am. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Please consider sending a memorial donation in her name to Mustard Seed Communities, c/o Mustard Seed USA, 29 Janes Ave, Medfield, MA 02052.