Dorothy R. (Lavigne) St. Denis

Brookfield/Warren - Dorothy R. St. Denis, 99, of Brookfield passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center.

She leaves her son, Norman St. Denis, and his wife Claire, her daughter, Helen (St. Denis,Plante) Sierak, all residing in Brookfield; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, Paul J. St.Denis in 1955, grandson  Ernest Plante, Jr. in 1965, sons-in-law Ernest Plante Sr. in 1979 and Simon Sierak in 2016. She was born and grew up in Brookfield, daughter of the late George H. and Melora (Levasseur) Lavigne, and lived in Warren for many years, prior to moving back to Brookfield to live with her daughter.

Dorothy worked as the housekeeper at St. Paul's Rectory in Warren for many years, before retiring in 1993 at the age of 75.  A talented organist, with a love of music, she started playing at St. Mary's Church in Brookfield at the age of 12, and was the music director and organist for many years at St. Paul's Church in Warren.  She played the organ in Churches for the better part of 75 years.  

She was a member of the St. Paul's Women's Group and Prayer Group.  Most of all, she loved her children and her large extended family which grew over the years of her long life.   

The St. Denis family would like to thank the staff at the Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, for the care, comfort and compassion they showed their mother.

A Funeral Mass for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in St. Paul's Church in Warren.  A calling hour will be held prior to the Mass from 10:00 to 11:00AM in the church.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery following the mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Dr., Suite 602, Boston, MA 02115 or http://www.bostonchildrens.org.  Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements.

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