Claire Irene Pelletier

PALERMO – It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Claire Irene Pelletier, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the age of 76. She was born in Lewiston on April 5, 1949, a daughter of the late Armand A. and Cecile T. (Lessard) Belanger.

She was a graduate of Lewiston High School in 1967, and earned her Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees in Education from The University of Maine at Fort Kent and Augusta. She held teaching certificates in elementary, and secondary education for both regular and special education, in addition to specific certificates in French, English and Social Studies.

For many years she was employed at Skowhegan Area High School, and then Fairfield MSAD 49 as a teacher of Special Education. Inspiring countless students with her passion for learning.

She was a passionate gardener, and enjoyed sharing her vegetables with family and friends, as well as her famous salsa and pickles that were a favorite to many. She instilled her love of reading, cooking, sewing, and gardening to her daughter and granddaughters who were the joy of her life.

She was a devoted mother to, Aimee K. Franzese and her husband Peter of Lake Mary, Fla.; three granddaughters, Alaine Dukess of Monmouth County, N.J., Miranda Dukess of Birmingham, England, and Paige Dukess of Lake Mary, Fla.; two sisters, Pauline Rodrigue and her husband Charles of Farmington, and Jo-an Lantz and her husband Donald of Lyman; her nieces and nephews, Melissa and Anthony Lindsey of Brunswick, Matthew and Carissa Rodrigue of South Orange, N.J., Laurie and Phil Cantanese of Bryant Pond, Timothy Langlois and Emily Gingras of Beverly, Mass., Jenna and Jason Ercolano of Abington, Mass., Evan and Alessia Lantz of Yardley, Pa., Jacob Lantz and Victoria Cornell of North Dartmouth, Mass.; and many great-nieces, great-nephews; and special friends who were like family.

A funeral service was held on Friday, May 16 at Plummer Funeral Home, Augusta. Burial was in the family lot in Lewiston.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.