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Lena R Archambault Obituary

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Lena R Archambault

Providence, RI

July 15, 1926 - September 8, 2022

Lena R Archambault Obituary

LENA R. (DESMARAIS) ARCHAMBAULT


Our dear aunt, sister, cousin, and friend, Lena R. Archambault, passed peacefully on September 8th surrounded by her loving family, concluding 96 wonderful years of her vibrant life in Woonsocket. Born in the city, she was a cherished daughter of the late Eugene and Larida (Dumais) Desmarais and the widow of Arthur Archambault to whom she was married for 40 years until his untimely passing. She is survived by her sister, Jeanette Meyer, her loving niece, caregiver, and constant companion, Lorraine Muphy, and three generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Leo, Raymond, and Rita Desmarais, Marion Hemond, and Doris (Dot) McGarrigle.


Together with her siblings, Lena was raised and educated in a traditional Franco-American home, attended parochial schools, and worked for several of the downtown retail establishments which once thrived 'back in the day' such as Woolworth's, Najarian's, Rathbun Outlet, and others. She often quipped that she was not only a retail clerk but also a professional 'store closer', as her employment at most of these places was followed by the business's permanent closure! Such was also the case in her subsequent but short manufacturing career; when Lena was hired at Uniroyal, closure was sure to follow - and it did!


However, Lena and many of her colleagues were fortunate to participate in Uniroyal's re-training program for administrative work. She attended Secretarial School and thereafter enjoyed a third career in secretarial and data entry services at Traveller's Insurance Company in Providence, to which she provided jitney service for co-workers and from which she ultimately retired.


A life-long Woonsocket resident, she remained content and independent living at home in the Diamond Hill Road area for virtually her entire life. Lena and her family are grateful to The Friendly Home staff for the compassion and care provided to her during her brief stay there. She was also a life-long (almost) crocheter, gifting many of her works - afghans, especially - to family and friends throughout the years; these coveted treasures now become part of her legacy. Also a scholar of ceramics, she served as an instructional aide and painter at the former Halo Ceramics, owned and operated by her niece, Lorraine. What began as an apprenticeship soon blossomed into artistic prowess in that medium! She endeared herself to scores of students who she assisted during her tenure.


Lena also loved her trips to Foxwoods Casino where she especially enjoyed the 'high stakes' Bingo; more recently, she frequented Plainridge Park Casino with Lorraine and had a particular affinity for "the Panda's" with whom she'd always 'hang out' and to whom she'd feed most of her precisely-budgeted daily offerings!


While Lena will be fondly remembered for all the foregoing, she will be remembered most for the courage, spirit, and attitude with which she embraced life, family, and friends. Feisty, fiercely independent, fearless and strong-willed, hard-working, full-of-life, fun-loving, well-traveled, crafty, and kind, she leaves a rich legacy of love and 'Lena lore'!


Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Berarducci Home, 185 Spring Street, Woonsocket. Burial will be Monday, September 19th, 12 noon in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 310 Wrentham Rd, Bellingham MA

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Lena R Archambault hosted by Berarducci Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Lena R Archambault.