Claire Vacherot

Claire Jean Vacherot, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, departed her loving family on November 1, 2024 at the age of 92.   Claire was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on February 20, 1932 to Arthur Gignac and Rose Boisvert.   Claire, first born to Arthur and Rose, had three loving siblings, Arthur Gignac, Pauline Marynowski, and William Gignac. 

As the eldest child, Claire watched over her sibling and remained close to each throughout their lives.  Claire, of French-Canadian descent, cherished her heritage and treasured her relationship with her grandmother, who passed on family life stories about living in Canada.  Being the elder child, she worked to help support her family while enrolling at Lowell Technological Institute studying fashion-design.   She went onto become a seamstress at Lemkin’s Department store in Lowell, Massachusetts.  She was an accomplished seamstress and continued to enjoyed designing and sewing into her late 80’s.

In 1957, Claire Jean Gignac and Maurice George Vacherot were married at St. Jean Baptiste church in Lowell, Massachusetts.  Shortly after marrying, they moved to Tucson, Arizona where Maurice, a graduate from Lowell Technological Institute,  worked as an electronics engineer for RCA.  During their stay in Arizona, their first child, Maurice, was born in 1958.  Wanting to be closer to family, they moved back to Lowell, Massachusetts. 

In 1965, Claire and Maurice moved to Billerica, Massachusetts.  Claire, a stay-at-home mom and long-time resident of Billerica for over 55 years, raised her children with love and devotion.  She became a “neighborhood-mom” and one of the founders of the Billerica Avenue “nature club.”  She loved nature and fostered that same love of nature and outdoor recreation in her children and the neighborhood children.  She would take everyone on hiking trips, to the lakes and beaches, teach them how to make Christmas wreath utilizing foliage from the local woods and so much more.

Claire enjoyed life, and her thirst for trying something kept her engaged in new activities and adventures.  Later in life, she learned to play the piano (which she then taught her grandchildren) and sing, she perform at recitals, played pool, and became a Reiki Master that served to help others.  Her continuous love of learning and adventure was a hallmark of her life and an inspiration to those that knew her. 

As a chef and seamstress, Claire was known for using her professional talents to help others.  She enjoyed the outdoors, traveling and spending time with family and friends, no matter how near or far she had to travel.

Claire loved her family and cultivated many friendships throughout her life.  She maintained childhood friendships that she continued throughout her life.   She touched so many people’s lives and her beautiful soul leaves a permanent imprint on our hearts.

 She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, silent strength, gentleness, adventurous spirit, and love of nature.  She dedicated her life to her family, always supporting, encouraging, and guiding her family with her special wisdom, gentleness, and warmth that filled one with a feeling of peace and assurance.  Her bright eyes, peaceful smile, and joyous spirit always made time spent with her memorable.  Her dedication, kindness and caring nature extended well beyond her family, Claire always helped those in need, including the little critters that lived outside her home, with a smile and a sense of purposefulness that was pure.  The mention of her name is met with a similar response by all that knew her: “Claire is so sweet, kind and such a fun-loving person.”

Claire Jean Vacherot is survived by her loving children Maurice Vacherot, Richard Vacherot, Cindy Vacherot-Plainte, and Jaqueline Slatkavitz; grandchildren Nicole Vacherot, Elyse Vacherot, Gabrielle Plainte, Genevieve Vacherot, Troy Slatkavitz, and Travis Williams; great-grandchildren Ava Vacherot, Baron Williams and Reagan Williams.

"Claire's legacy of love, devotion, and kindness will be forever cherished by all who knew her."

In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests donations be made to the American Stroke Foundation.