Margaret L. Guilmette-Fitts

Margaret L. Guilmette-Fitts BARRE – Margaret Lajeunesse Guilmette-Fitts passed on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 11, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 8, 1929, in Barre, Vermont, she was the oldest girl of eight children of Armand and Leda (Roy) Lajeunesse. She attended St. Monica’s school until family moved on the farm in East Hill where she went to the fifth grade at Cuttler Corner School. She worked hard and stayed with families in Barre to go to Spaulding High School. The family moved to Barre her senior year and she graduated from Spaulding High School in 1947. Her first job was working at Letter Granite Co. On Nov. 27, 1948, she married Frank Guilmette, her high school sweetheart, at St. Monica’s Church and went on to raise their five children. The couple lived in Montpelier, Vermont, where she worked at Montpelier Savings Bank, as a 1953 legislative secretary and then, at Vermont Life. The family moved to East Barre, Vermont, and then to Barre, where they made their home. Margaret worked at Homer Fitts Co., Action Advertiser, and had a home daycare. Frank and Margaret established the granite business of Frank’s Memorials. Frank and Margaret enjoyed traveling and went to many places, including Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Canada and throughout the United States. They took many pictures and gave “Travel Slide Presentations” at churches, schools and senior centers. Frank and Margaret wintered in Arizona for 15 years and then eight years in Venice, Florida. Margaret enjoyed playing her auto harp and singing in Arizona, Florida, North American Martyrs Church in Marshfield, Vermont, in local nursing homes and wherever God called her to pray with people. Margaret was a member of St. Monica’s Parish and for 23 years, a member of North American Martyrs Church in Marshfield. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in Barre. She was a lector and Eucharistic minister and brought communion to shut-ins in Florida and to Frank during his illness. Frank passed away on June 13, 2008. Margaret was a lifetime member at the Loyal Order of the Moose and served as chaplain and recorder. In 1970, Margaret was very active in the Cursillo movement and was on the board for the Vermont Cursillo, secretary and chairman of the Ultreya for many years. She was vice president and president of the Woman Aglow, very active in the charismatic renewal and was leader of the Light in the Spirit seminars and co-leader in the prayer group. In 1999, Margaret started a prayer group in her home and led the music and Bible teachings; organized CCD and teachings at Mother Cabrini Church and CCD teachings at St. Monica School; was on the board of directors for Jabbok Ministries for 30 years, along with prayer group. Her true love was her family. On Sept. 19, 2009, she married Homer Fitts. They made their home in Barre. Margaret is lovingly remembered by her husband, Homer. She was a very devoted mother of John Guilmette and his wife, Caroline, of Wadsworth, Ohio; Suzanne Begin and husband Thomas, of Barre; Richard Guilmette, of Stowe, Vermont; Lee Dubois and husband Don, of Northfield, Vermont; and Denise Guilmette and wife Deb Dancause, of Bethel, Vermont. Margaret was proud to be Gram to five grandchildren Jessica Hill and husband Dan, of Middlesex, Vermont; Jamie Laprade and husband Ryan, of Woburn, Massachusetts; Stephanie Begin, of Barre; Eric Chaloux and wife Raegan, of Williamstown, Vermont; and Peter Begin and wife Stefanie, of Citrus Springs, Florida. Her great joy was being Memme to seven great-grandchildren Braden and Delanee Hill, of Middlesex; Hailey, Hayden and Harper, of Woburn; and Agustin and Samuel Begin, of Citrus Springs. Also surviving are her brother Roland Lajeunesse and wife Ronnie, of Barre, and Venice, Florida; and sister Claire Brassard and husband Norman, of South Burlington, Vermont; along with many nieces and nephews. Her stepchildren are stepson Doug Fitts and wife Christie, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; stepdaughter Ellen Cooper and husband Cliff, of Burlington, Vermont; and stepson Eric Martin, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Margaret was predeceased by Frank Guilmette; brothers Raymond Lajeunesse, John Lajeunesse, Fernand (Red) Lajeunesse; sisters Victoire Couture, Mary Jane Plante; and stepdaughter, Susan Fitts Martin. Margaret was a woman of great faith which was evident in the way she lived her life over all her years. She always trusted in her Lord and Savior in all things which gave her peace and strength for each day. A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life was held on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, at 11 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. Burial followed the Mass, in St. Sylvester Cemetery in Lower Websterville, Vermont. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Oct. 14. from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial contributions in Margaret’s memory may be given to St. Monica’s School Fund, 79 Summer St., Barre, VT 05641, where her children and grandchildren attended school. Arrangements were in the care of the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St., Barre, Vermont. Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com.