Claire L. (Marchessault) Garceau

Born December 1928 to Antoine and Yvonne Cote- Marchessault, Claire was married to Edmund Garceau and both were lifelong residents of Cranston.  Claire leaves: Sisters Blanche Marchessault – Ritchotte of West Warwick, RI, Yvonne Marchessault Kieran of Escondido, CA and Jeanne Marchessault-Dionne of Kansas and Rita Garceau of Cranston, her sister-in-law. Deceased siblings: Gloria Marchessault St. Peter of West Warwick  and Arthur Marchessault of Colchester, VT

Claire met the love of her life when she was 15 at the Riverdale Roller Skating Rink in Warwick, RI and she and Edmund were married for the last 64 years. All who knew them would attest that their love and devotion to one another was evident and real every day. A true example of unconditional love. Once married they lived and remained in Cranston.  They were a couple of deep faith and were active members of Immaculate Conception Church. Claire made her career as the Executive Director of the RI Hemophilia Foundation and Ed owned and operated the Arlington News Company in Cranston along with his siblings Raymond and Rita Garceau. In their spare time, they loved to golf with Claire’s sister Blanche Ritchotte and her husband and Ed’s best friend Arthur. The two couples traveled and did  everything together. Claire loved all things RI but most especially seafood! Both Claire and Ed loved to play cards with Ed’s siblings Henry, Roland and Rita Garceau and sisters-in-law, Theresa, Helen and Connie.

While Claire and Blanche were off on shopping binges down RT. 2 which they called “the strip”, Ed and Art would be fixing something or just enjoying their lifelong friendship. This was their happy place. While Claire and Ed were never blessed with children, Blanche and Arthur’s two children Robbie and Bruce were like their own. There was never a week or a life event that Claire and Ed missed. They were a constant in their lives and the lives of the other nieces and nephews here in RI, VT, Kansas and around the country. Their love and their door was always open. Claire loved to laugh and have fun. She never had a bad day. She chose joy over sorrow, good over bad, positivity over skepticism. She loved her life and lived it to the fullest, it was her oyster. She was happiest when spending time with her siblings, Gloria, Blanche, Arthur, Yvonne and Jeanne. And this closeness remained throughout her life. She loved interior design and could make a room come to life with her impeccable taste and creativity. She was always available for her family and friends and no matter what the issue, the answer was always “yes”. She was an angel and the leader of our family’s prayer chain. Her faith was real and deep and she leaves us this example and one that shows us all that a life that is loved is a life that has been lived. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Tamarisk Assisted Living in Warwick, RI

Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9 am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME 1278 Park Ave., Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Greenwich. VISITING HOURS: Sunday 4- 7 pm.