Obituary of Claire Jeanette L'Abbe

Claire J. (Surette)L’Abbe, 87, beloved wife of the late Maurice L’Abbe,died peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester following an extending illness. She was born in Salem MA on March 25, 1929, the daughter of the late William and Esther (d’Entremont) Surette from Middle West, Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada. Claire was a graduate of St. Joseph High School, Salem and had resided in Peabody for the past 64 years. She was a longtime communicant of St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody. She was a very creative and handy woman and loved babies, children and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were the light of her life. As a young woman she worked as a seamstress at R.H. White Store in Boston and at Newmark’s Store in Salem. Claire taught ceramics in her home for several years and later in life she was employed at Analogic Company in Peabody for 15 years retiring in 1991. She was an excellent cook and had special friends at the Torigian Day Center. With her caring and sharing spirit she was always willing to help anyone in need. She will be missed. Special thanks to the Seacoast Nursing and Rehab Center whose staff gave her loving care and also to Care Dimensions who gave her end of life and loving support. She is survived by a son and three daughters, Patric and his wife Carol L’Abbe of Peabody, Diana and her husband Thomas Andruszkiewicz of Beverly, Linda Anne L’Abbe and her partner Larry Stepenuck of Rockport and Deborah (L’Abbe) Rice of Peabody, Nine grandchildren, Dawn Marie St. Pierre, Julie Carragio, Tricia L’Abbe, Kristin MacCurtain,Dr. Lisa Ceplikas, Allison Barry, Dylan L’Abbe-Lindquist, Jason Rice and Nicole Rice Terry, 13 great grandchildren, her two brothers Melvin Surette of Peabody and William and his wife Patricia Surette of Swansea, MA and several nieces and nephews. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2016 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9:00 am from the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John’s Church, Peabody at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Torigian Day Center, 79 Central St., Peabody MA 01960 in her memory.