Jeannine Clarke

– Jeannine Cecile (Pichette) ClarkeJeannine Cecile (Pichette) Clarke, 81, of Island Pond died peacefully at North Country Hospital on June 21, 2011 after a long illness. She was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec on October 19, 1929, the daughter of Clement and Annette Ruel Pichette.As a young woman, Jeannine was proudly employed as a telephone operator and later promoted to manager of the Coaticook Phone Company in Coaticook, Quebec. She married Richard Thomas Clarke of Saint Albans, Vermont in Coaticook, Quebec on May 26, 1951.Jeannine was a long time member of Saint James Parish and the American Legion Auxillary Unit,Brighton Post #80, as well as a member of the Brighton Random Ladies. For many years she and her husband were members of the Orleans County Country Club and were very active in Brighton Post #80 affairs. After her husband's retirement, they spent the winters in Florida. Besides golf, Jeannine loved to dance and garden, and was an excellent cook and baker. She had great faith, was a strong Catholic and was a believer in Novenas.After her husband's death, Jeannine opened and operated the first Bed and Breakfast in IslandPond. She greatly enjoyed the B&B guests, many who returned year after year and she even received an award for the best B&B of Island Pond in 1989. She was very proud of completing her GED in 1990 from North Country Union High School with her dear friends Anna Honan and Christine Manning.Jeannine was a devoted wife, proud mother and grandmother, loyal friend and matriarch of theClarke family. Family gatherings and reunions always brought out her fun loving ways and humor. Sheespecially loved her family coming to visit and playing with her grand and great grandchildren.Jeannine was predeceased by her beloved husband of 34 years, Richard T. Clarke; herdaughter-in-law, Janet (Perrier) Clarke; her sister Giselle Pichette-Baillargeon; and herbrothers-in-law: Germain St. Pierre, Denis Lacasse, Fern Baillargeon and Robert Corbeil.She is survived by her sons: G. Richard Clarke of Pristina, Kosovo; Michael Clarke and hiswife Jan of Island Pond; Patrick Clarke and his wife Lisa of Island Pond; Darcy Clarke of SanFrancisco, California; her daughter, Christine Clarke and her spouse Aime DeGrenier ofEasthampton, Massachusetts; grandsons, Jason Clarke and his wife Heather of Brunswick,Georgia, Shane Clarke and his companion Becky Morse of Randolph, and Evan Clarke of Island Pond; granddaughters, Melissa Gieler and her husband Kevin of Noblesville, Indiana, Stacey Cross and her husband Joshua of Essex Junction; Jamie Clarke of Essex Junction; and Arden & Ella Clarke-DeGrenier of Easthampton, Massachusetts; great grandchildren, Peyton and Austin Clarke of Brunswick, Georgia; Zachary Gieler of Noblesville, Indiana; and Mia Ruby and Tanner Cross of Essex Junction; and by numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.Jeannine is also survived by her sisters: Dolores Pichette-LaCasse of Sherbrooke, Quebec; Francoise Pichette and her husband Bill Patterson of Montreal, Quebec; Denise Pichette-St. Pierreof Coaticook, Quebec; Jacqueline Pichette and her husband Gaston Berard of Sherbrooke,Quebec; Lise Pichette and her husband Michel Carbonneau of East Angus, Quebec; NicolePichette and her husband Bertrand Lussier of Sherbrooke, Quebec; and her brothers: DenisPichette and his wife Margot Blais of Sherbrooke, Quebec; Jean-Marc Pichette and his wifeLouise Laroche of Victoriaville, Quebec; and Daniel Pichette and his wife Christiane Letourneau of Sherbrooke, Quebec.Funeral services and a celebration of life will be held at Saint James the Greater CatholicChurch of Island Pond on July 2, 2011 at 1 p.m. officiated by Father Connors. A reception will follow at the American Legion Hall in Island Pond. There will be no calling hours.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity or organization of one's choice.Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.