Claire P. Valcourt

Claire (Pelletier) Valcourt, 94, of Chicopee Falls passed away peacefully at home with loving family by her side on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2024. Born to the late Ernest Z. and Adele (Potvin) Pelletier on September 8, 1930, she was a lifelong resident of Chicopee.
Upon graduation from Chicopee High School (Class of ’48), she initially worked as a telephone operator for AT&T. She later spent 35 years working as a head bookkeeper and cashier for D’Amour Big Y Supermarket.
Claire was a kind and gentle soul always giving the best of herself to others. In good times as well as difficult ones, she was a steady hand with wise counsel, a reassuring smile, and a gentle hug. She was the universal giver as she had the special gift for listening and a keen eye to notice the smallest source of life’s joy as well as its challenges. As a young girl she spent several summers on her grandparents’ farm in Canada, which was the beginning of her lifelong love for animals. Her house was always a revolving door of friends and Family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren sitting around the kitchen table, relaxing at the Cape, traveling to see family, and going to dinner following Saturday Mass with her Church family.
A devout Catholic, Claire strongly lived her faith every day and bedtime prayers for her Family and friends were a daily habit. She was an active congregant in St. George Church and later at Mary, Mother of Hope Church in Springfield where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.
She was predeceased in 2022 by her loving soulmate of 71 years, William A. Valcourt Jr. (Billy). Their marriage created a beautiful family of 5 children: Lieutenant General (Ret) David P. Valcourt and wife Diane of Brewster, MA; Robert F. Valcourt and wife Susan of Chicopee, MA; Theresa Clancey and partner David Duquette of Chicopee, MA; Richard A. Valcourt and wife Mary of Chicopee, MA; and Diane M. Matheson and husband LTC(Ret) James of Eastampton, NJ. She was blessed with thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. She leaves behind her sister, Lorette (Pelletier) Rattelle of Chicopee, MA; her sister-in-law, Jean Baker of Troy, MT; in addition to several nieces and nephews; She also leaves behind her beloved pug and protector, Bella.
Calling Hours will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St, Chicopee. Family and friends are invited to meet at Mary, Mother of Hope Church at 840 Page Blvd, Springfield on Friday, December 6, 2024, for a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial, and Rites of Committal at St. Rose de Lima Cemetery in Chicopee to follow.
The Valcourt Family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to support our local autism support non-profit organization “amegoinc.org” or mailed to Amego (Corporate Office) 33 Perry Ave, Attleboro, MA 02703 Thank you.