Claire P. Gagnon

Manchester – Claire Gagnon, 74, died at the Elliot Hospital January 17, 2007 after a sudden illness. She was in the loving company of her family. She was born Marie-Claire Pauline Lavigne, August 12, 1932 in Manchester to Joseph and Merilda (Bernier) Lavigne. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and the Sacred Heart School of Nursing. She dedicated 35 years to the Sacred Heart Hospital and Catholic Medical Center as a surgical and obstetrical nurse and received numerous commendations for her exceptional patient care. Since her retirement from nursing Mrs. Gagnon enjoyed arts and crafts, collecting antiques and caring for her grandchildren. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter and cross stitcher, making mittens, hats and blankets for disadvantaged children and premature infants. She loved animals and generously supported animal care organizations. She was a member of numerous genealogical associations. For the past three years she traveled and researched the family’s origins and recently presented each of her children with a completed Gagnon-Lavigne genealogical history. A lifelong resident of Manchester, Mrs. Gagnon was active in the school and church community of St. Anthony’s parish serving as a Cub Scout leader and school volunteer. She enjoyed cooking and contributed her famous whoopee pies and pumpkin breads for bake sales. Mrs. Gagnon devoted her life to caring for others in her work, her family and friendships. A loving mother, she is also remembered by her friends and neighbors as a true caregiver, a person who would go out of her way to do anything for anybody. Having survived the past 9 years with heart disease she enjoyed a full and productive life. The family includes her daughters, Diane Gilson of New Hampton, NH, Jacqueline Gagnon Perra of Goffstown, NH, Amy Playfair of Ashkirk, Scotland, UK; her sons, Raymond Gagnon and his wife Joanne Gagnon of Manchester, Marc Gagnon and his wife Deena Gagnon of Merrimack; her grand children Tiffany Gagnon of Setauket, NY, Geoffrey Gagnon of Manchester, NH, Mackenzie Perra of Goffstown, NH, and Kayla and Julie Gagnon of Merrimack, NH. Mrs. Gagnon was predeceased by her husband, Raymond J. Gagnon in 1975, by her only sister, Anita T. Lavigne, in 2004 and by her son-in-law Ian Playfair in 2006. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Manchester Animal Shelter, 490 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, NH 03103 Serivces: A Memorial Reception will be Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 3-4 PM at the Phaneuf Funeral Home , 243 Hanover Street , Manchester, with a memorial service following at 4-PM in the funeral home chapel.Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. For more information go to www.phaneuf.net