Claire Fontaine

Claire Fontaine LAKE SUNAPEE — Claire Fontaine, 93, of Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, and Franklin, Pennsylvania, died peacefully Jan. 6, 2020, with her loving, heartbroken family at her side. She was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, March 28, 1926, to Alfred and Beatrice Bonneau Lepitre. She attended St. Mary School in Claremont and attended and graduated from Stevens High School. She married Francis Xavier Fontaine June 23, 1945, at St. Mary Church, Claremont, New Hampshire. Claire spent the early years of her life in the throes of the Great Depression. It was during this time she learned that, to survive in this world, it would take grit, determination and a strong will to succeed and overcome considerable obstacles. In their early years together, she and her husband faced many hurdles in their lives that bonded them much closer together. She was the key person for the everyday care of her children, as her husband worked long, hard hours to provide the necessities for their survival. Her love and affection, along with her guidance of teaching her children to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, showed everyone who knew her that she was a strong, caring and intuitive person as she moved through her life. Claire was predeceased by her husband, Francis, on Aug. 19, 2017. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Fontaine of Erie, Pennsylvania, and her son, David Fontaine, of Franklin, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Karen Hawkins and husband Steve of Polk, Pennsylvania, Michelle Freer and husband Dennis, also of Polk, Pennsylvania, Francis Xavier Fontaine III and wife Amanda of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Amanda Leonardi and husband Buddy of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Kathleen Pacak and husband Jeff of Erie, Pennsylvania; great-grandchildren, Isabella and Gabriella Leonardi, Sophia Pacak, Justin Hawkins, Derek and Lane Freer, Kylie Ann and Quinten Fontaine. A private Catholic funeral Mass will be at the convenience of the family, and interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Claremont, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, the family asks any donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in accordance with her deep caring for the wonderful work to help children who may otherwise not be able to get superior medical care. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.