Lorraine P. Villemaire

She was born in St. Albans, Vermont on May 6, 1926 the daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Bouillard) Godbout. Lorraine grew up in Winooski, Vermont, where she attended Burlington High School.

Following graduation, she worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for numerous years before marrying her beloved husband of 65 years, Rodric Villemaire, and starting a family.

Throughout her life, Lorraine was involved with the St Francis Xavier Home and School Association, and church along with a variety of organizations revolving around her children and community. She served as a den mother within the Cub Scout program, worked at IBM, Sweet Energy, and Jog Bra once her children were older. Her life revolved around family and friends. She took great pride in maintaining her home and was always cognizant of everyone’s particular needs, whether it be incorporating Dick’s garden veggies into meals or making sure each dinner guest had food they would enjoy. Lorraine had a decorative vision for each season and holiday to liven up her home. While always well maintained, something about Lorraine and her home offered comfort and security to anyone fortunate enough to pass though.

In particular, Lorraine’s creativity in the kitchen was appreciated by family and friends. You could often find her in the kitchen teaching her children and their friends the art of pie making or cake decorating. Her sewing talents were displayed through the numerous detailed gowns she created on occasions for both herself and her daughters. Her children fondly remember hearing the humming of the sewing machine late into the night as Lorraine worked to ensure projects were completed on time. In her later years, Lorraine continued to develop her artistic talent and took up drawing and painting. She spent many happy hours creating her artwork.

Lorraine’s selflessness and silent inner strength underscored the emotional and spiritual strength she exhibited throughout her life. Hugs from “Moozer” genuinely made you feel encompassed by love. There was truly no greater comfort than placing your head in her lap as she stroked your hair. Her uninhibited smile and vibrant blue eyes could brighten even the dreariest of days. Lorraine had an uncanny memory for jingles and a single word or phrase would lead her to pipe in with a little song or rhyme, warming your heart.

Those who are familiar with Lorraine’s deep and sustaining faith can be comforted in the sure knowledge that she has gone home in peace and joy to be with the Creator who gave her life. Friends, family and acquaintances alike, will miss Lorraine’s generous, kind, loving and amiable personality. Her family, who meant everything to Lorraine, will find her constantly near, just as she has always been, close in their heart.

She is survived by her four children, Ric Villemaire of Winooski, VT, Lynn Villemaire of NH, Joseph Villemaire and his wife, Deborah, of Reva Virginia, Barbara Villemaire Koutras and her husband, Paul, of Keene; and eight grandchildren, Christopher, Toria, Michael and Claire Koutras, Cameron and Tristan Villemaire, and Nicole and Kimberly Villemaire. She loved and enjoyed her visits from her extended family, Jay and John Rousseau, and Sean Brennan. Lorraine was predeceased by her loving husband, Rodric, in 2016; her three sisters, Joyce Richer, Gloria Godbout, and Anita Chastenay; her brother, Edward Godbout; her in-laws, Earnest and Theresa Seymour (Villemaire) and Anne Marie Bilodeau (Villemaire).

Lorraine’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to the nursing staff and hospice care at Bentley Commons. Special thanks to daughters’ Barb and Lynn, son in law Paul, and grandchildren Toria and Michael, for their constant support, love, and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winooski, VT on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow the mass at the Windjammer Inn and Conference Center on 1076 Williston Road, S. Burlington, VT. Burial at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Lorraine Villemaire to Saint Francis Xavier Church and School, 3 St. Peter Street, Winooski, VT 05404.