Lucille D Fortier

Lucille (Beaudoin) Fortier, age 95, of Waterford, CT, passed away peacefully at home on April 24, 2026, with family by her side. Lucille was born on July 10, 1930, in New Britain, CT, to the late Hormidas and Rachel (Roberge) Beaudoin. She was predeceased by her husband, Norman Fortier, with whom she celebrated 70 years of marriage, and by her brothers Marcel, Norman, and Roger Beaudoin.

Lucille spent most of her life in New Britain—graduating from New Britain High School in 1948, marrying Norman in 1951, and raising their six children in the community they loved. In 1974, she went to work at Sage Allen in West Farms Mall. After she retired in 1991, Lucille and her husband travelled the world together, enjoying adventures in Europe, Australia, and South America. They later settled in Southington, CT, where they lived in a retirement community until moving to their daughter’s home in Waterford in 2021.

Beloved by family and friends, Lucille will always be remembered for her warmth and kindness. She made the people in her life feel special. Whether it was her remarkable ability to remember birthdays and anniversaries, the uncanny way she would whip up a feast out of thin air when company dropped by unexpectedly, or how she was always willing to lend a hand no matter how busy she was, Lucille cared deeply and she showed it.

Lucille found immense joy in being both a mother and grandmother. A natural born caregiver, she raised her six children and extended her nurturing spirit to others, including neighbors, friends, nieces and nephews. At 80, she flew to Las Vegas to help care for her newborn great-granddaughter after a complicated pregnancy. In her later years, she became affectionately known as Mémère, the French word for grandmother, to everyone around her. Cherished and loved by all those who knew her, she was truly everyone’s Mémère.

Lucille is survived by her six children: Gary and his wife Roxanna of Jacksonville, TX, Michael and his wife Anne of Victor, ID, Russell and his wife Paula of Del Rey Beach, FL, Susan Rackstraw and her husband Bill of Winnetka, CA, Marylou Calderone and her husband John of Waterford, CT, and Sandra Lee and her husband John of Burlington, CT. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Jeremy Fortier, Jessica Fortier (Ulmer), Danielle Fortier (Easter), Rachel Fortier (Roberts), Michael Calderone, Catherine Calderone, Tanner Lee, Juliana Lee, and Jocelyn Lee, and six great-grandchildren, Raynee Fortier, Cora Fortier, Henry Ulmer, Emmet Ulmer, Caroline Easter, and Owen Easter, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Lucille’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Masonicare hospice team for their wonderful care and support. Special thanks to Dawn and Jose Delacruz who were there to lend a helping hand during her final months and days.

A celebration of life will be held at the New Britain Memorial – Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home in New Britain, CT on September 26, 2026, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. A burial will follow on September 28, 2026, at 10 AM at the Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.