Francine Croteau

OXFORD - Francine M. (Dubrule) Croteau, 59, died peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, February 8, 2011 after a short battle with an illness in UMass Memorial Healthcare Memorial Campus in Worcester. She is survived by her husband, Randolph Z. Croteau, to whom he was married for 39 years; a daughter, Christy L. Brissette and her husband Michael Brissette, of East Haven, CT; a son, Scott J. Croteau and his wife Jennifer Rosinski-Croteau of Northboro; three grandsons, Jason Brissette, Tristan Croteau and Donovan Croteau; a brother, Michael Dubrule and his wife Sharon Dubrule of Boylston; her brother and sister-in-law, Francis Croteau and Susan Croteau of Holden; and many loving nieces, friends and co-workers. Her parents, Norman H. Dubrule and Lorraine (Papillon) Dubrule, predeceased her. Francine was born and raised in Worcester and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1969. After having two children, Francine went to the then Worcester State College and earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1988. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society in Education, the Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi and the Student Advisory Committee. Francine went on to receive her Master of Education from Worcester State College in 1996. She continued her education throughout the years, completing her most recent class this fall. Francine was also a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. An adamant believer in the power of education, Francine helped shaped the minds of young men and women as she worked as a kindergarten teacher at Charlton Elementary School for 21 years. Before then, Francine substituted at several schools in the region. Previously, she owned and operated a home-based daycare center and was both a Girl Scout leader and camp counselor. She was a born nurturer, a natural teacher, and children of all ages gravitated to her. Known for her ability to engage anyone in conversation anywhere, Francine enjoyed vacationing in Florida and taking family on rides at Walt Disney World. She was at her happiest spending time with her family. Francine, known as Mimi and Grammy to her three beloved grandsons, was a selfless woman always thinking about the wants and needs of those she loved. Visiting hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11 at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St, Oxford, MA. A 10 a.m. memorial mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Roch Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, considering Francine's love for children.