Geraldine M. Richard

Geraldine M. (Lefebre) Richard, 96, of Gardner, died peacefully, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.

Born in Winchendon on September 15, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Mary (Roberts) Lefebre and grew up during the Great Depression. She graduated from Murdock High School with the Class of 1943. She worked at the Winchendon Dress Shop and Alaska Freezer Company both of Winchendon. During World War II, she was employed at Heywood-Wakefield making bomb fuses for the war effort  Geraldine was a teacher’s aide employed by Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School of Gardner for 14-years and at Gardner High School in the kindergarten for 6-years, until her retirement in 1985.

Geraldine was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish/ Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner and a member of its Ladies of Ste. Anne Society. She was a member of the Gardner Chapter of AARP and was a longtime Girl Scouts of America Leader, Brownie Leader, Junior Leader, and a Cadet Leader on the Service Team. She enjoyed square dancing and was part of the Two Hearts as One. Geraldine had a deep faith and loved to watch daily Mass on Catholic Television and even celebrated her 90th birthday with a visit and tour of Catholic TV, where she met Bishop Reed and staff where she attended the Mass and has a copy of it to this day. She loved her home—where she lived until she was 94 and kept busy working in her garden, doing crossword puzzles, and sewing, often making her clothes. She loved to go to the beach, especially Maine, and loved to eat seafood. Geraldine also enjoyed traveling and loved going to Florida, especially Walt Disney World, where she enjoyed riding “It’s a Small World”.

Geraldine is survived by her daughter, Susan M. Hermanson and her husband Michael of Gardner; a son Bruce J. Richard and his wife Ann of Gardner; three grandchildren, Brandi Richard and her fiancé Ryan Begin of West Springfield, Matthew Hermanson of San Francisco, CA, and Scott Hermanson and his wife Nicole of Standish, ME; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Casey Hermanson; two loving sisters-in-law, Jeannie Richard and Jackie Lefebre; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband of 61-years, Edmond J. Richard, who died in 2012; three sisters, Lorraine Brown, Parmelia Leger, and Ann Webb; and a brother, Kenneth Lefebre.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2020, with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. A private burial be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Calling Hours will be private.

Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, current restrictions set in place by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which includes masks and social distancing, will be in effect at Geraldine’s service.

A special thank you to Montachusett Home Care and especially both Sharon’s for the excellent care and compassion they gave her. The family would also like to thank the staff at Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their loving and compassionate care during the past year, especially during the Pandemic—where many became like family to her.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Activities Fund, 59 Eastwood Circle, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Geraldine M. Richard.