Claire Lessard

Claire G Lessard, 87

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Claire Gagnon Lessard recently of Zelienople, PA and formerly of Biddeford, Maine. Claire passed away peacefully on August 22nd, 2025 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side at The Passavant Community in Zelienople. She lived the majority of her life in Maine but was fortunate to spend her final year and a half of her life near her daughter and son-in-law in Harmony, PA. She battled a long illness with dementia and has finally found peace.

Born November 10th, 1937 to Omer and Aurore (Lajoie) Gagnon in Biddeford, Claire was the baby of 4 children. She was a Daddy’s girl and gained a love of baseball from her father. He would take her to the Boston Braves games as a child on a regular basis. As a result, she became a Braves fan for life, even long after the Braves moved to Atlanta. She could never seem to cheer for the Red Sox. Her love for sports extended to football as well. Claire was an avid New England Patriots fan, especially loving them through the Belichick/Brady era.

Claire grew up at Goose Rocks Beach in cottages built by her father. She graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1956 and shortly thereafter took a job at the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Wells Water District (KKWWD). She spent her entire career at KKWWD rising through the ranks to eventually become their Treasurer. She retired from the Water District after 37 years of dedicated service.

In 1959, Claire met the love of her life, Andre (Andy) Lessard. It was love at first sight for her and after she chased him around Biddeford for a while, showing up everywhere he went, he eventually fell in love with her. How could he walk away from such a beautiful, radiant, determined woman with the rosy red cheeks and the infectious smile?! They were married on September 23, 1961, had their one and only daughter, Debbie, in July of 1962, and enjoyed a wonderful journey together through life and marriage for 61 years until Andy’s passing in June of 2023.

Claire will always be remembered for her love of life and her never ending positive attitude. She was the life of the party and loved to play games. And she loved to win! She spent a lot of time in her retirement years bowling, playing mahjong, and playing poker with the girls. She would always come home from poker with a bag full of money! She was also an avid cribbage player. She learned from her Dad and passed along that passion for the game to her loved ones.

Spending time with family was Claire’s greatest joy. Claire and Andy loved to host family and friends at their family home on May Street in Biddeford. Claire was always inviting loved ones to come visit and go to the beach. Hanging out at Old Orchard Beach was one of her favorite pastimes. Summertime was always busy at the Lessard residence, known as “Camp Lessard”. Claire would keep a calendar so she knew which family members were coming when. Everyone always looked forward to spending time at “Camp Lessard” and Claire loved every minute of it!

When Claire became a Mother-in-Law, grandmother, and then later a great-grandmother, she was overjoyed. She loved them all dearly and treated each of them as her own. She wanted to share with them her love for Maine and for the beach. Many memories were made with all of them at “Camp Lessard”, at the beach, and in the little town of Biddeford. Maine is now a part of each and every one of them!

Claire is survived by her daughter Debbie Watterson and her husband David of Hilton Head Island, SC and Harmony, PA; her granddaughter Ashley Watterson of Brighton, MI; her grandson Ryan Watterson and his wife Vanessa of Brighton, MI; her granddaughter Sarah Kelley and her husband Matt of Victor, NY; and her 6 great-grandchildren: Vanessa Watterson, Tyler Watterson, Savannah Kelley, Theo Kelley, Zoey Watterson, and Olivia Watterson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings, Doris Paquette, Robert “Bob” Gagnon, and Paul Gagnon.

A Celebration of Claire’s Life will be held at a later date in Maine. Claire leaves a wonderful legacy of love, fun, friendship, and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please pass on her legacy by making someone smile today in her memory. If you would like to make a donation, please make online gifts in memory of Claire to the Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.

Arrangements entrusted to the Turner-Hyde Funeral & Cremation Services located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City, PA.