Claire I. Trudel

Claire I. Trudel, 95, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at home on March 4, 2023 in Candia, New Hampshire.  She was born and raised in Manchester, NH on December 21, 1927 to Albert and Marie-Ange (Daniel) Laferte. Claire attended St. George’s High School for Girls in Manchester and later went to work in Manchester at Association Canado-Americaine as well as at New England Telephone Company.

In 1949, Claire met the love of her life during a Big Band Dance at the Carousel Ballroom and this changed the course of her life.  On July 4, 1951 Claire and Jules married. What followed were some of the busiest years of their lives.  Between 1952 and 1969, Claire and Jules had 11 children.    Those were very busy years for Claire as a full-time mom and homemaker.  When Jules bought Talbot Caterers in 1969 to help provide for his growing family, Claire took over the book-keeping aspects of the company and the hiring of staff for the business

In 1989,  Jules and Claire both retired from Talbot Caterers and began to spend half of their year in Florida and the other half in New Hampshire.  Additionally, Claire and Jules did a lot of travelling during that time, including visiting nearly all of the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, many Caribbean cruises as well as trips to Europe.  In Germany they visited with Claire’s brother Albert who was stationed there.  They also visited England where Jules had served during WW2 and visited Normandy, France for the 50^th anniversary of the D-day invasion.  Jules loved to travel and Claire accompanied him everywhere. It was no secret though that Claire was a home-body who loved nothing better than a good book, a comfortable chair and a good cup of hot tea!

In 2005 Jules passed away and Claire made the decision the following year to live in New Hampshire full-time, where she was near many of her children.  Claire lived in her own apartment during these years, which was adjacent to her daughter Anne Cinquegrana’s home in Candia.  Claire was able to do her favorite things while living there, which included reading books, working on Sudoku and crossword puzzles, doing jigsaw puzzles, and watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Lawrence Welk on TV. She also enjoyed eating whatever candy she wanted while drinking hot tea! To all who knew and loved Claire she was always described as strong, smart, independent, sassy and sweet.

Claire was predeceased by her parents and her husband Jules Trudel, in 2005, her son David in 2018, her son Jules in 2022 and her grandson Brian in 2012. 

Claire is survived by her children; Janice (Bob) Deleault, Donald (Lorraine) Trudel, Daniel (Sue) Trudel, Donna (Bob) Beliveau, Paul Trudel, Michael (Sue) Trudel, Anne (Tony) Cinquegrana, Lynne (Joe) Sheppard and John (Pam) Trudel. Her daughters in law Joanne Trudel and Gisele Trudel and her brother Albert Laferte and sister in law Yvonne and sister Priscilla Lavertu. 

Additionally, Claire is survived by 30 grandchildren, including; Nathan and Nicholas Deleault, Andrea Onufrychuk, Chad and Tyler Trudel, Kelsey Lopez, Craig, Brett, Keith and Scott Trudel, Douglas Trudel, Aimee Pursell, Christine Austin, Adam and Kevin Trudel, Melissa Myette, Kelly Ash, Derek, Justin and Travis Trudel, Mykie, Corey and Riley Trudel, Alycia Cinquegrana, Patrick, Phillip and William Sheppard, Victoria, Elizabeth and Andrew Trudel

Claire also has 29 great grandchildren with one more on the way and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thank you to Claire’s loving caregivers over the past year, including Nancy, Pam and Lisa. Also, a thank you to Southern NH VNA Hospice Home health care who helped and supported Claire and her family during these past few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurses Association of Manchester and Southern NH, Hospice division at 1070 Holt Avenue #1400, Manchester, NH 03109.

SERVICES: Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9th at 5-7PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover St, Manchester, NH. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 10th at 10AM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 207 Hemlock St, Manchester, NH. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at 11:30AM at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd, Manchester, NH.