Claire (bonneau) Bernier

The Lord called to Himself His faithful servant Claire (Bonneau) Bernier, 87, of Rocky Hill and formerly of East Hartford, loving wife of Roland J. Bernier, on Monday (May 7, 2007) at St. Francis Hospital. As her life was a testimony to her faith in Jesus Christ, her Savior, so it was in her final hours. Surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren, she went home to be with her Lord. Born in New Bedford, MA, on March 15, 1920, a daughter of the late Joseph and Rose-Anna (Gosselin) Bonneau, she had resided in East Hartford for 57 years prior to moving to The Lodge at Cold Spring in Rocky Hill last year. Prior to her retirement Claire was employed for 20 years by Aetna Insurance Company, Hartford as a claims adjustor. Claire was a long-time faithful communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church, East Hartford, and an individual who would sew and make clothes for her family and others in need. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards at the Rocky Hill Senior Center. Claire is survived by her five loving children and their families, Roland E. Bernier and his wife, Diane, of Vernon and their two children, Adria Patterson and her husband Alan of West Hartford, Evan Bernier and his wife Kathryn of West Kingston, RI; Arlene B. Caldwell and her husband, Art, of Madison and their three children, Kelli Rumrill and her husband Paul of North Haven, Kimberly Kehoe and her husband John of Rocky Hill, Christopher Caldwell and his wife Kelly of Wallingford; Denise B. Monarca and her husband, Joseph, of Middletown and their three daughters, Cheryl Stanko and her husband Chris of Middletown, Christa Jachym and her husband Rob of Middletown, Lauri Monarca of Chicago, IL; Dianne E. Bedner and her husband, David, of Enfield and their three children, Amy Bedner, Mindi Bedner, and Eric Bedner all of Enfield; Edgar R. Bernier and his wife, Nicole, of Columbia and their two daughters, Cherise Bernier of Columbia, and Karina Bernier of Allston, MA. Mrs. Bernier is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Therese Bonneau of East Hartford, Olive Bonneau of Manchester, Grace Bonneau of East Hartford; nine adored great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Funeral service will be Friday, May 11 at 12:15 p.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 1 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Cambridge Dr., East Hartford. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (May 10th) from 3-7 p.m. Claire's children would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the tender and compassionate care given to their mom by the entire St. Francis Hospice staff. Memorial contributions in Claire's name may be made to the St. Francis Hospice Care, 95 Woodland St., Hartford, CT, 06115. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.