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Cohoes-Clemence M. Lessard, 94, formerly of Cohoes, passed peacefully into her new life in the fullness of God’s presence on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home. She was born on March 28, 1926 in Saint Francois-du-lac, Quebec, Canada. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Eloi A. Lessard, who entered his eternal home on July 9, 1985.
Clemence and Eloi’s story was a love story--two hearts becoming one. It began after he visited Canada and met Clemence, and little did he know then, she would be the love of his life. After cross-border dating for some time, they soon became husband and wife, tying the knot in Canada on September 4, 1954. They were a perfect match for each other, taking one day at a time, living life with much happiness. After several years cooking for the Sisters of St. Joseph’s School, she worked as a seamstress at Cohoes Manufacturing for 28 years retiring in 1995. Definitely a people person, she made many friends and acquaintances. Her signature laugh was unique and contagious; it would infect a whole room of people. She was a true hell raiser.
A devout Catholic, she was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, Cohoes and a member of the Ladies of St. Anne, before moving to St. Mary of The Assumption Church, Waterford. In her last years, she was a member of the parish community of St. Edward the Confessor Church, Clifton Park, and never missed the opportunity to attend Mass while at Schuyler Ridge.
Clemence loved her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking and baking traditional Canadian dishes for the family, and loved babysitting the little ones. She traveled when she could, including numerous bus trips with the Cohoes Senior Center and vacations with her children, often visiting relatives in Canada. Her family cherishes and holds dear in their hearts the memory of two wonderful cruises with her.
Besides her husband Eloi, Clemence was predeceased by her infant son (Richard), her parents, Alexandre Trudeau and Rosa Marcoux, and siblings Lilliane Morvan, Gerard Trudeau, Rejeanne Belisle, Gertrude Labonte, Therese Gagnon and Marcel Trudeau. Also, her maternal grandmother Rose-Anna St-Germain, whom she loved dearly, who raised Clemence during her early and formative years after the early death of her mother at childbirth.
Clemence is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie Hansen of Cohoes; sons, Richard (Denise) Lessard of Clifton Park and Raymond (Debra) Lessard of Cohoes. A sister, Helene Lacouture of Saint Francois-du-lac, Quebec, Canada also survives. Five grandchildren who adored her and know her as “mim” include Katje (Andrew) Karas, Jennifer (Robert) Cowin, Lauren (Michael) Jenner, Andre Lessard, and Alex (Eileen) Lessard. Her most recent joys are her great-grandchildren Andrew Joseph (AJ) Karas, Camden and Cole Cowin, Gavin and Aubrey Jenner. Many nieces, nephews and cousins in the U.S and Canada survive.
Clemence’s story will live on in those who knew and loved her, but most of all by her loving family, who will sorely miss her. Heartfelt thanks go out to the staff of Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home for the loving and compassionate care they gave Clemence, where she was affectionately known as Clem, madame or memere. She brought much joy and laughter to staff and residents alike, and a bit of confusion too when speaking French to them.
Calling hours are 4-7 pm Sunday, February 21, 2021 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Edward the Confessor Church with Rev. Patrick Butler and Rev. Thomas Hayes co-officiating.
Masks are required and social distancing should be observed.
Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Waterford.
Memorial contributions in memory of Clemence may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, #405, Albany, NY 12205.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Clemence M. (Trudeau) Lessard, please visit our Tree Store.
Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011
Web: http://www.alz.org