Claire Labednick, age 79, a lifelong resident of Hollis, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on December 29, 2023 after a period of declining health. She was the eldest of five children of the late Gregoire Lessard and Albertine (Pelletier) Lessard. She was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire and attended St. Louis De Gonzague Catholic High School where she graduated in 1963.
During high school Claire worked part time as a candy striper at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua. She spoke fondly of this time in her life particularly her interest in caring for others and the medical field. For many years while raising her family, Claire was a homemaker and later worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Kenneth Williams in Hollis. She enjoyed this work especially all their patients many of whom became friends.
From an early age, Claire was a loving and compassionate person. She was selfless, kind and mild mannered. She always stepped up and offered help to anyone in need. Her warm hearted nature brightened the lives of those who knew her. Claire was an optimist, cheerful with a contagious laugh. She was easy to talk to and made many friends wherever she went. She never missed a birthday or occasion to send an original crafted greeting card to family and friends.
Claire loved to create and her creativity spanned many genres including professional cake decorator, quilter, doll maker, calligrapher, greeting card maker, scrapbook maker and journaler, watercolor painter among many other interests. She possessed an innate ability to create beauty from the simplest of things and her passion for quilting and sewing was a testament to her artistic spirit. Through the years, she lovingly made many cherished hand sewn quilts for family and friends, a symbol of love and warmth. She meticulously crafted handmade Christmas ornaments each year she lovingly stored for her daughters to adorn on their Christmas trees later in their own homes, creating a cherished tradition and forever reminder of her presence during the holiday season. Claire was also passionate about flower and vegetable gardening sharing her harvests with loved ones and friends. She especially loved blueberry picking at the local orchards and making freshly baked blueberry muffins, the aroma of which filled her entire home. Ever curious, Claire attended Rivier University’s RISE Program enjoying many subjects especially those related to genealogy, art classes, medical and spiritual health. With her husband, Bob, she enjoyed exploring New England’s seacoast, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, the Southwest along with many yearly visits to Disney World with her then young daughters.
Most of all she loved her family with all her heart and was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and mother in law. Often referring to “my girls”, she beamed with pride and supported them through many passions in their lives. Similarly, as “Memere”, she was a doting grandmother to her two grandchildren, Erica and John. She will remain forever in our hearts.
She leaves behind her daughters, Donna Corey and husband Jeff, of Brookline NH and Linda Osgood and husband, Andy of Milford, NH, and two grandchildren, Erica Breau and husband Taylor, of St. Petersburg, Florida and John Osgood, of Milford, NH. She also leaves behind her sister, Diane Maltais and brother in law, David Maltais of Phoenix, AZ; her brother, Bobby Lessard of Sun Lakes, Arizona and brother, Leo Lessard and sister in law, Karla Lessard, of Milford, NH, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Claire is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Robert Labednick; her parents, Gregoire and Albertine Lessard, her sister, Lucille Houle of Phoenix, AZ; her niece Brigitte Kennedy of Peoria, AZ and sister- in- law Deborah Lessard of Sun Lakes, AZ.
The family expresses their sincere gratitude for all the kindness and support our mother received over the years from her dedicated and compassionate care providers and medical personnel as well as a heart felt thank you to Pat Morse, Claire’s loyal and lifelong friend.
There will be a Wake on Thursday, January 11, 2024 between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at The Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, NH. Burial will follow at St. Louis Cemetery at 752 West Hollis Street, Nashua. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
