Serena Francis Bourque, 55, of Chellis Street in Claremont, died Thursday evening, July 17, 2008, at her home, surrounded by her husband and children, following a long battle with cancer. 

She was born in Springfield, VT on April 25, 1953 the daughter of Francis “Babe” and Jacqueline (King) Rabtoy and had resided in Springfield, VT and Claremont all her life.  She was a graduate of Springfield High School.

Mrs. Bourque worked at King Arthur Flour, Sclafani’s, Wal-Mart, a Way School Lunch server “the cookie lady” and especially loved being a housewife and mother.  She lived for her husband, children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed visiting with family and friends.  Her interest included stamps, crafts, sewing, shopping for bargains at yard sales and thrift stores and photographing her family.  She also enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid cook, baker and canner.  She spent countless hours building stone walls and paths around her beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens.  One of the things she enjoyed most of all was hearing the voices of her grandchildren calling her “Memere”.

The surviving family includes her husband, Jean-Pierre Bourque of Claremont whom she married on March 8, 1975; one son, Tony Raymond Bourque of Claremont; one daughter, Yenda’Me Lynn (Bourque) Malia of White River Junction, VT;  six grandchildren, Kylie Bourque and Zackary Bourque both of Claremont, Aiden Callahan, Deacon Malia, Xavier Malia and Hermione Malia all of White River Junction, VT;  her mother, of Clarendon, VT; three sisters, Naomi Barrows of Weathersfield, VT,  Leilani Baron of Newport and Lori Barbour of Clarendon, VT and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was pre-deceased by her father in 1984 and her father-in-law, George Andre’ “Andy” Bourque in 2007.

Following a wake service at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Saturday, July 26^th, from 10:00 to 11:0 AM, a celebration of life will be held in the rear function room of the Goodwin Community Center.  Friends and family are encouraged to attend and are welcome to bring a dish along with memories, photos and stories of Serena.

To view an online memorial, send a message of condolence or for more information visit, www.stringerfh.com.