Michelle (Fontaine) Gilmore

Webster – Michelle (Fontaine) Gilmore, 70, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday October 15, 2023.

Michelle was born in Woonsocket, RI on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1953, daughter of the late Aram “Frenchie” and Margaret (Maggi) Fontaine, and sister to the late Gary “Fizzy” Fontaine.

Michelle is survived by her daughter Darcy Blessing-Williams, her husband Chad Williams, and their children: Audrey Blessing, Alex Blessing, and Lucas Williams; her son: Jacob Gilmore, his wife Lauren Gilmore, and their children: Gloria Gilmore, Rilo Gilmore, Julian Gilmore, and Oakley Gilmore.

She is also survived by her siblings Stevie Fontaine, and Leslie (Fontaine) Chastain-Sluka.

She was a beloved friend to so many, and dearly loved meeting with friends regularly at Wind Tiki, Lake Pizza, and Pointe Breeze.  She maintained lifelong friendships, stayed in touch with her childhood friends until her final moments.

She loved being a grandmother and looked forward to family visits where she could treat her grandchildren to duckpin bowling and boat rides, just as her father, Pépère, did before her.

Michelle was a native of Webster, MA, and grew up on the lake.  She was one of the first families to live year round on Webster Lake.  She cherished that lake until the day she passed.  She went to great lengths to make sure her children and grandchildren could properly pronounce Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.  She would send birthday gifts every year with the name of the Lake on it just to remind them to practice saying it.  She took pride in being from Webster, celebrated her family’s local heritage, and passed that legacy onto her children.

Michelle would often take a picture of the lake and send it to her children.  Living on the lake truly was her happy place.  It was sacred to her.  And so it is fitting that this lifelong native of Webster was able to spend her final weeks in her lakeside cottage, being visited by friends and family, overlooking its beauty as hundreds of boats passed by, and seeing so many people enjoy the Lake that brought her so much joy. 

A Celebration of Michelle’s Life will be held from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Wednesday October 25, 2023, in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School Street Webster, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Laura’s Guardian Angels- either Mail a check or Venmo; Check: Laura's guardian angels, Memo line- honor of Michelle Gilmore PO Box 352 Millbury MA 01527; Venmo @Laura-Dube. All monies received are reported back to family and go toward supplies not covered by Hospice for end of life care for patients in need. 

A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may offer condolences, share fond memories, or light a candle in remembrance of Michelle.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michelle (Fontaine) Gilmore, please visit our floral store.