VERNON, Conn. — Frances E (Lachance-Pelletier) Riel, 86, of Ellington, Conn., formerly of Norwich, Conn., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 11, following an extended illness at Rockville General Hospital, Vernon, Conn., surrounded by her loving family. Born in Auburn, Aug. 21, 1931, daughter of the late Antonio and Viola (Gauthier) Lachance, she was educated at the former St. Louis School, 1950 graduate of Edward Little High School, both in Auburn, and attended the University of Maine at Farmington. Relocating to Connecticut in 1963, she was employed by the state of Connecticut as a clerk at Windham County Courthouse in Putnam and University of Connecticut and Storrs, retiring in 1982. She was a talented pianist and organist and for many years in retirement played for religious services throughout eastern Connecticut. She was a member of Rose City, Bozrah and Franklin Senior Citizens Groups and Richard Hourigan Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit 594, both in Connecticut, and William Rogers American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 153, Auburn. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Riel, of Ellington, CT.; three daughters, Claudette Pelletier of West Stafford, CT., Annette Foisey of New Britain, CT., and Jeannette Pelletier of Simsbury, CT.; three sons, Daniel Pelletier of Strafford, N.H., Antonio Pelletier of Duluth, Ga., and David Pelletier of Philadelphia, Pa.; three stepsons, Philip Riel of Perryopolis, Pa., John Riel of Ellington, CT., and Thomas Riel of Lempster, N.H.; a sister, Cecile Pilla of Westfield, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Eileen Pawlikowski, of Hampton, Conn. She was predeceased by her first husband, Raymond Pelletier (1968); two sisters, Annette Lachance (1923) and Therese Rioux (2004); and a brother, Regis Lachance (1971).

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Frances E. Riel

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