Claire Florence Fortier

Born to Wilfred and Lillian (Isabelle) Ayotte on the very day of the year reserved to celebrate LOVE. It was Valentine’s Day, 1938, and true to her nature and date of birth she began her life of love, faith, kindness, compassion, generosity, service and friendship. She was the oldest of 10.

Claire graduated from Notre Dame High School and in 1959 married Joseph M. Fortier. It was a tender surprise to find many beautifully written love letters he had penned for her all those years ago. Together they raised three daughters, Diane, Denise and Janine, and quietly endured the loss of Janine’s twin brother, Richard, at their birth. It gives us great joy to know they are together again.

Mom is preceded in death by her son Richard, loving husband of 59 years Joseph “Maurice” Fortier, parents Lillian & Wilfred Ayotte, siblings Florence, Eugene (Anne Marie) and Norman (Barbara) Ayotte and their son Michael, and by her brothers-in-law Robert Bonin and George Charles. She is survived by her children Diane Metivier, Denise (Jim) Stapleton, and Janine Philipps along with her fur babies Piper and Penny who loved her very much. She is also survived by her brothers Charles (Susan) Ayotte, Gerard (Lynn) Ayotte, Robert (Denise) Ayotte, and by her sisters Alice Matthews, Rita Bonin (Robert, d.) and Lucille Ayotte. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jeanette Charles & her life-long BFF since kindergarten, Murielle Blanchette whom she loved dearly.

When asked who she was, people had this to say about Claire:

She was loving, compassionate, tender-hearted, kind, a wise & approachable counsel, quick to forgive, generous to a fault. She loved unconditionally, was pure at heart and deeply spiritual, especially true to Mary. She was humble, unpretentious and possessed a quiet, enduring strength, like the likes of which we’ll not ever see again. She never spoke of her needs, her disappointments or burdens. She was outwardly focused on those of the people she loved and was a gentle light in their times of darkness. She is the embodiment of Matthew 5:3-10. Words are hard to find to describe the depth of our sorrow, but we take heart in knowing we will meet again.

The family would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation to the folks at Hope Hospice for their love and support during these difficult times. I would especially like to thank nurses Maureen, Jessica, June and those who floated. CNAs Melanie, Lisa, Ernestina, & Dee. Chaplain Mary Beth, social workers Colleen & Steve, staff member John C., and last but not least Dr Mercedes Pacheco. You wrapped us up in your care and didn’t let us fall. Mom was a special soul who deserved to be cared for by special souls.

Thank you for showing up for her and her daughters, in all your many ways.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Russell J Boyle and Son Funeral Home, located at 142 Centerville Rd. Warwick, RI. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday. June 21, 2025, at 10 AM at Saints Rose and Clement Church, located at 111 Long St. Warwick, RI. Burial will follow at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at https://donorservices.alz.org Thank you so very much.