Jeanne (Melanson) Lavigne, 93, resident of Middletown for over 60 years, beloved wife of the late Emile R. Lavigne, died Friday August 2, 2024, at Wadsworth Glen Nursing Home.

She was born on February 16, 1931 in Fall River, MA, daughter of Henri ("Pete") and Irene (Audet) Melanson. After raising her children, Jeanne was employed at JCPenney as Catalog Department Manager and Wesleyan University as a Financial Aid Officer.

Guided always by her strong Catholic faith, Jeanne was confident, competent and never afraid to take on new challenges. She was creative, imaginative, resourceful, and a prolific seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheter and reader.  It was difficult to find a topic that she did not already know about. She could discuss politics, travel, entertainment, science, religion, and sports to name a few.

With Emile, she sold their house and bought an RV to see the country, achieving the goal of visiting all of the state capitals in the contiguous United States, save one.

Jeanne is survived by her son, Peter W. Lavigne and his wife Meg Dooley of Chatham, NY; five daughters, Anne Marie Bilodeau and her husband Joseph of Middletown, CT, Suzanne Narajka and her husband Greg of Wallingford, CT, Elizabeth Caffrey and her husband William of Portland, CT,  Mary Hanifin and her husband David of Milton, MA, Paula Moore and her husband Bob of Southborough, MA; her eleven grandchildren, Michael LaVigne and Thomas Caffrey in Colorado, Gregory Narajka in Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Katie LaVigne in Buffalo, NY, Christopher Caffrey, Emily Murphy and Nick Narajka in Connecticut, and Clara Hanifin, Gillian Moore, Emma Moore, and Ted Hanifin in Massachusetts; nine great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Roger and Leo Melanson, and granddaughter, Vivian Elise Hanifin.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to her aides, Meily and Marycielo from Companions Forever and to Wadsworth Glen Nursing Facility in Middletown for their kindness, support and care shown to Jeanne in her last years.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday August 22nd at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield St., Middletown. Burial will follow at the State Veterans' Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday August 21st from 5 to 7 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St. Middletown.

Those who wish may send memorial contributions to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research . To share memories or express condolences online please visit Biega Funeral Home.