Beloved
mother, Mémé, Denise Louise Santerre, 96, of Colchester, Vt.,
passed peacefully on Thursday, January 30, 2025, surrounded by loved
ones.
Born
in Bedford, Québec, to Charles Dery and Antoinette Lanoue, she was
the fifth of 14 children. She was married on December 11, 1948, to
Francis Santerre. They moved to Vermont in the early 1950s,
eventually settling in Colchester, where they raised their seven
children, showing them daily what strong family love is and what
faith in God can do.
In
addition to raising seven children, she worked in the food industry.
In her later years, she attended the VNA Adult Day program, helping
staff with food preparation.
Denise
showed love for others by welcoming them into her home as if they
were family, offering a warm home-cooked meal. She left recipes of
love that will be cooked for generations to come. She had a special
place in her heart for her grandchildren, who will miss hearing her
sweet French accent.
She
was predeceased by her husband, Frank; son Ronnie; and great-grandson
Alexander Owens. She leaves five siblings and six children: Gaston
Santerre (Michele), Diane Scichitano (Dale), Carole Santerre,
Lorraine Knapp (Donald), David Santerre (Jacklyn), Chuck Santerre
(Mary), and daughter-in-law, Joni Santerre. She was loved by
grandchildren Chadd Santerre (Christine), Janel Maud (John), Neil
Scichitano, Renee Kuehn (Brett), Erin McKenna, Tyler Santerre
(Julia), Nick Santerre (Danielle), Brooke Herrera (Stephen), Mallory
Geesey (Zach), Luke Santerre (Olivia), Brady Santerre, Duncan
Santerre and Gavin Santerre (Madelyn); and great-grandchildren:
Taylor and Lance Santerre; Tessa Maud; Mayzee Scichitano; Blake,
Carson and Ripley Kuehn; Olivia Owens and Xander McKenna-Staley;
Kiara, Tieren, Gwen and Griffin Santerre; Stella and Summer Santerre;
Stella, Avila and Bennett Herrera; Weston Santerre, and, soon, baby
girl Santerre.
A
celebration of life will be held at a later date.