OLIVETTE “YVETTE” DESNIEGE CHAMPAGNE
Swanton/St. Albans – Mrs. Olivette “Yvette” Desniege Champagne, 97, passed away on Thursday morning. June 11, 2020, at Franklin County Rehabilitation Center in St. Albans.
Yvette was born on June 19, 1922, in St. Albans, the daughter of Sylva and Auzilda (Clouatre) Remillard who were originally from Canada. Yvette graduated from Holy Angels School and married Edward Champagne in 1942. He died on February 26, 1995.
In her early years, Yvette was employed at Union Carbide. She later joined her husband to convert the gas station they owned into a small restaurant. In 1960, as their business expanded, the Champagnes built a five room motel and remodeled the restaurant. Several years later they purchased cabins from Ed’s mother which necessitated Yvette to expand her role as waitress, cook, chambermaid and house mom. As time went on, the Champagnes spent their winters in Florida and continued to operate their restaurant and motel the remainder of the year. Finally, in 1978, they sold the business to their son, John.
Yvette was a longtime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliaries.
Surviving are Yvette’s son and his wife, John and JoAnne Champagne of Swanton; daughter Nancy Hemingway and her special friend Roger Villemarie of Essex Junction; grandchildren, Todd Hemingway and his wife Shelley, Amy Shedrick and her husband Carlton and John P. Champagne and his wife Alicia Byrne, and great-grandchildren, Abigail Hemingway, Yvette Shedrick, Jaiden Champagne, and Damen Champagne. Yvette is also survived by her former daughter-in-law, Beryl Champagne-Flora.
In addition to her parents and husband, Yvette was predeceased by a brother, four sisters, and her son-in-law.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 19, 2020, at 11:30 AM at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 65 Canada Street in Swanton. Interment will follow in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery in Swanton.
Friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street in St. Albans on Friday June 19, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Those attending calling hours or the Funeral Mass are requested to adhere to current VT COVID-19 guidelines including utilization of masks and social distancing and comply with the requests of funeral home staff and ushers.
Friends are encouraged to honor Yvette’s memory by spreading acts of kindness.
Yvette’s family would like to express their appreciation to The Homestead at Pillsbury and Franklin County Rehabilitation for the care and kindness extended during the time Yvette resided there.
To share memories or messages of condolence with Yvette’s family please visit www.healdfuneralhome.com.
