Obituary: Gilberte (Jill) Messier, 1928-2020 

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• Jill Messier

Gilberte “Jill” Messier passed peacefully into the arms of her late husband, Victor Messier, on Saturday, February 8, 2020. She spent the prior week surrounded by her children and grandchildren as they shared fond memories about growing up in a loving family in Claremont, N.H., and, later, Shelburne, Vt. Jill was 92 years old at the time of her death and had resided for the last 20 years in Shelburne.

Jill was born on January 27, 1928, in Claremont, N.H., the daughter of Adalbert and Aurena Boissonneault. She was a graduate of St. Mary High School, class of 1945. On June 26, 1948, she wed Victor Messier, to whom she was married for 55 years until his death on January 15, 2003.

Jill was a loving homemaker, raising not only her five children but offering childcare over the years to many others who affectionately called her "Momma Jill."

Jill was a congregant of St. Mary Church in Claremont, N.H., and participated in several organizations, including the Catholic Daughters of America, Ladies of Saint Ann, adviser to the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and PTO (30 years). She also spent many years in a supporting role with the St. Mary Drum and Bugle Corp.

While living in Shelburne, Jill was a congregant of St. Catherine’s parish. Jill was a volunteer at SCHIPS, where she offered her amazing ironing skills. Jill was also a member of the singles fellowship and always brought the best desserts to their monthly gatherings.

Members of her surviving family include her children, Linda Messier of Reading, Mass.; Daniel Messier and his wife, Phyllis, of Holiday, Fla.; David Messier and his wife, Kyle, of Claremont, N.H.; Lisa Bonser and her husband, Mark, of Grand Haven, Mich.; and Michele Noonan and her husband, Mike, of Shelburne, Vt.. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jeremy Malley (Laura), Nathaniel Malley (Iveta), Micaela Long (Tim), Joseph Malley (Emily), Danny Messier, Katie Helmick (Raymond), Sam Noonan (Celsea), Amanda Messier, Fiona Noonan and Ronan Noonan; and great-grandchildren, Sophie Helmick, Olive Long, Eloise Malley, Jack Malley, Aurora Noonan, Juno Long, Calvin Malley, Maggie Malley and Autumn Noonan.

A Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne, Vt., with her son, the Rev. Daniel Messier, officiating. A Committal Service will be held at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Claremont, N.H.

The family invites you to share a memory of Jill or leave a message of condolence with them at royfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jill’s name to McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy., Colchester, VT 05446.