Claire S. Provencher

Claire Provencher, 95, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024.

Claire was born on January 21, 1929, in Manchester, NH, the daughter of Ignace and Irene Gill. She was a lifelong resident of Manchester’s west side. In her early years she belonged to St. Jean de Baptist Parish and later Ste. Marie Parish. Claire married the love of her life, Herve, in 1951. 

Claire was very proud to have graduated from Manchester West High. After graduation Claire worked for the Bell Telephone Company. She later worked for Ammon Instruments and St. Peter’s Day Care Center. 

Children played a major role throughout Claire’s life. She was a loving stay at home mother of 6 children, while also babysitting up to 4 other children at the same time! She enjoyed spending time at home baking with her grandchildren and also relished the many visits with her niece Joyce Provencher.

With kindness and generosity, Claire gave of herself to everyone. She was active in many church activities at Ste. Marie. She was president of the Ladies of Saint Anne for 18 years, a member of Women of Mary, Heart to Heart at Ste. Marie, and Prime Time at Catholic Medical Center. She also coordinated Mercy Meals, was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Association Canado Americaine. She received the Catholic Woman of Excellence Award in 1999 and was presented the Auxiliary Officers award “God Country & Home” in 2012. Claire enjoyed walking to many of her activities and was always very grateful for the friends who offered her rides. 

As busy as she always was, Claire found time to enjoy her favorite pastimes; writing letters, line dancing at the Cashin Senior Activity Center, hosting house parties for family, neighbors and friends, and playing cards and dice games with her family and friends. 

In addition to her parents, Claire was predeceased by her beloved husband Herve, her precious daughter Susan Legendre, and her dear friend Gerald Lafleur. 

Surviving family members include Susan’s husband Roger Legendre of Portsmouth NH; Richard Provencher and his wife Vivian of Goffstown NH; Helen Garvey and her husband Neil of Portsmouth NH; Gloria Baldwin and her husband Skip of Vernon VT; Marc Provencher and his wife Suzanne of Pittsburg NH; Irene Koffink and her husband Robert of Goffstown NH; 12 grandchildren: Ryan, Renee, Elizabeth, Valerie, Erin, Courtney, Anson, Avery, Alec, Donnie, Kaitlin and Steven; 17 great grandchildren; and her dear sisters, Cecile Laplante and Irene Fradette of Manchester, NH and Rita Zember of Ludlow, MA. 

We deeply appreciate the compassionate care Claire received from the wonderful staff at Riverwoods Assisted Living and Memory Care in Manchester NH. Thank you also to Brookhaven Hospice staff for caring for Claire. 

To our dear Mom, 

Life brings many changes but nothing will undo the wonderful legacy of a lifetime of love. You have been and always will be at the heart of our very special family, a family that adores you, appreciates you, and loves you very much. 

Calling Hours for Claire will be held on Monday, September 30th from 5 - 7 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes, 243 Hanover St. Manchester, NH 03104. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 1st at 10 AM at Ste. Marie's Parish, 378 Notre Dame Ave. Manchester, NH followed by a cemetery committal at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Manchester.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Claire’s memory to Catholic Charities New Hampshire or Brookhaven Hospice of Bedford, NH.