Frances J. Lareau

Mrs. Frances (Joy) Lareau, 76 of Columbia, CT, beloved wife of Michael, unexpectedly passed away at home on Wednesday September 12, 2018.  Fran was born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 27, 1941 to the late Minnie (Carbon) and Peter Joy. She was a graduate of Girard High School and The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree.

Fran moved to CT where she began her career and fell in love with Michael Lareau. She worked at St. Francis and Manchester Hospital for many years as well as several other hospitals during her nearly fifty year career in Nursing. As a working wife and mother of two, she returned to school to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Fran was a compassionate caregiver and in semi-retirement educated future nurses at UCONN, Three Rivers, and Capital Community College.

Fran leaves behind her love and best friend, Michael R. Lareau of Columbia and her children, Michele Delisle of Columbia and Mark Lareau and his fiancée, Michelle Phenix of Worcester. She also leaves her adored granddaughter, Renee of Cromwell. Fran was the sister of Laura Hurst of Niles, Ohio and Peter Joy and his spouse, Rebecca Dresser of St. Louis, Missouri. She also leaves brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces, a great niece, and many cousins in Ohio.

Fran took great pleasure in many vacations with Michael, such as visits to Jamaica, St. Maarten, and other sunny destinations that placed a fruity drink in her hands. She was a talented crafter and filled her home at Christmas with handmade decorations. Fran took immense joy and pride in creating the most magnificent gardens where you could rarely ever find a wilted flower. She loved shopping with her girls, Michele, Laura and Renee and was sure to brag about her amazing finds. Even though she did not like the cold, nothing could drag her away from the rink to watch her son play hockey.

While Fran loved to travel, working, gardening, dinners out with friends and family, her greatest joy was starting each day in their sunroom with a cup of coffee with her best friend and love, Michael, her husband of fifty three years.

In lieu of flowers, Fran’s family suggests donations in her name to Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org/donate

Or Smile Train P.O. Box 96231 Washington, D.C. 20090-6231

The family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT with a Memorial Service starting at 1:00pm.

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