Fernande G. Champagne

WEST STEWARTSTOWN – Fernande “Fern” Germaine Champagne, 93, passed away on Sunday evening, June 5, 2016, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown after a long period of ill health and where she had been a resident for the past five years. She was born in Saint-Isidore d’Auckland, Québec, on April 26, 1923, the daughter of the late Octave and Delia (Pouliot) Brochu. She grew up in Saint-Isidore and was married there to Raymond T. Champagne on May 9, 1944. The Champagnes moved their family to North Stratford in 1958. Fernande worked there for the Brown Company, later James River Corp., and the Campbell Stationery factory until her retirement. She loved to garden and spend time with her husband at their camp in Saint-Isidore. Fern enjoyed sewing in her younger years, and she continued to knit vests, afghans, mittens and socks until just a few months ago. She moved to Colebrook in 1992, and obtained her driver’s license at the age of 70. She is survived by two daughters, Ginette (Richard) Provencher of Homosassa, Fla., and Gisele (William) Mountain of Homosassa; two sons, J. Andre (Kathy) Champagne of Groveton and Yvon C. Champagne of Manchester, NH; a daughter-in-law, Pierrette “Pete” Champagne of Colebrook; a brother, Jules Brochu of Saint-Isidore d’Auckland, Que.; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Fern is preceded in death by her husband Raymond “Tom” Champagne in 1990; a son, Gilles Champagne in 2009; six brothers, Philippe, Ernest, Lucien, Lionel, Armand, and Patrick Brochu; a step-grandson, Joshua in 2000; great-grandson Andre in 2006; and a step-granddaughter Katrina in 2014. At her request, there are no public calling hours. A graveside interment service will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016, at 10 a.m. in St. Brendan’s Catholic Cemetery in Colebrook. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Champagne may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Fernande G. Champagne

April 26, 1923 - June 5, 2016