Claire R. Simard

Claire R. (Grandmaison) Simard, 86, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Ipswich, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2015, surrounded by loving family at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester. Her husband, of forty-seven years, Donald A. Simard, predeceased her in 1999. Claire is survived by her devoted family, including her daughter, Lee A. Simard Agnelli and her husband Joseph F. Agnelli, Jr. of Shrewsbury; a son, David D. Simard of Ipswich; three grandchildren, Joseph F. Agnelli, III and his wife Maura F. Agnelli, Catherine N. Agnelli Hall and her husband John R. Hall, and Lauren S. Simard; two great grandchildren Dylan John Hall and Joseph F. Agnelli, IV; several nieces and nephews. Claire was predeceased by her brother, Paul Grandmaison. Claire was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, daughter of the late, Arthur and Emerina (Sirois) Grandmaison and graduated from Nashua High School. It was in high school where she met the love of her life, Donald, with whom she would spend the next fifty-five wonderful years of a love and commitment. Together they raised their family in Ipswich and instilled in them the importance of family and the love that encircles them. Claire worked for over forty years as a telephone assembler for AT&T, formerly Western Electric. She was a member of Our Lady of Hope Church in Ipswich and the Ipswich Senior Center. She enjoyed reading, golf and her love of the beach prompted her to vacation in Wells, Maine, during the summer and spend her winters along the coast and its beaches in Sarasota, Florida. She and Donald loved to travel and their passports were stamped around the world in countries throughout Europe, Morocco, Egypt, and many other wonderful places. Their travels kept them here in the United States as well, in such great places as Alaska and Las Vegas. No matter her location around the world, Claire loved her husband and the family they raised together. Her life invigorated by her grandchildren and her dear, dear great grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered as a special and caring person. Calling Hours for Claire will be held on Thursday, August 6, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral will be held on Friday, August 7, from the Funeral Home with a procession departing at 9 a.m., to travel to Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester, where Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Interment beside her husband will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, in Bourne at 2 p.m. Flowers are appreciated but in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.