Claudette C. Foisy-Ethier

Claudette C. Foisy-Ethier died yesterday in her lake front home in Charlton, MA. She was 57 years old. She was with her husband, Andrew Ethier, when she passed. Since 2006, she had been treated with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Her struggle with cancer ended early in the morning of August 4, 2008.

Claudette Foisy-Ethier was born August 1, 1951, to Edmond and Irene (Leduc) Foisy of Southbridge, MA. She had an older sister, Susan Foisy, who died in 1959. She is survived by her mother, Irene (Leduc) Foisy, her sister Madelaine, wife of Albert Latini, and her niece Diana Latini, all of Southbridge.

Mrs. Ethier graduated from Marianhill Central Catholic High School in Southbridge. She attended Worcester State College where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education, followed by a Master's Degree in Education from American International College in Springfield, MA. She spoke three languages.

She was born to be a teacher, and her exemplary career spanned over 30 years. She brought a special intuitive creative talent to her work as a kindergarten teacher. Known as Ms. Foisy, she educated generations of Southbridge residents. She had begun to teach children of parents who were educated by her. Mrs. Ethier continued throughout her career to go beyond her work requirements. She enjoyed crafting her own handmade presents and cards for her students. Someone once said, "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness". She could have stopped teaching in 2006 following her cancer diagnosis. Instead, she chose to do what she loved. She endured painful chemotherapy treatments while continuing to work full time in her position as a kindergarten teacher at Eastford Road Elementary School in Southbridge, MA. During her tenure as a teacher, she held many prestigious positions in the Southbridge Teacher's Association, including President and Vice President.

She lived for one summer in Paris, France, one of the many visits to the country that she loved. She also traveled throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States. Mrs. Foisy-Ethier was a decendant from ancestors who were bird care takers for the Louis Kings of France.

She was known as "Clo" to her friends. She loved animals, birds, musical theater, art museums, nature, and most of all, she loved her family, friends, and the children she educated. She adored her three cats as well as the birds that came to her bird feeder each day.

She came from God's elegant universe where the stars shine each night. She will be there with God, her family, and her friends, forever and forever, alive again in her new spiritual world of all things as beautiful as she was in her life.

The funeral will be Wed., Aug. 6 from Sansoucy Funeral Home, 40 Marcy St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 10:30 AM in Notre Dame Church, 446 Main St., Southbridge. Calling hours will be Tues., Aug. 5 from 6 - 8 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in New Notre Dame, Woodstock Road, Southbridge.

www.sansoucyfuneral.com