Charleen M. Desilets

LEOMINSTER- Charleen ‘Cha’ Desilets, the 68 year old beloved sister of Dennis Desilets and his wife Margaret ‘Mags’ died peacefully on August 24, 2015, at her group home on Gamache Lane in Leominster. She also leaves behind her Aunts Fernande Desilets of Leominster, Jacqueline Mills of Brocton, MA and Beatrice Gaudet of Fitchburg, along with her niece Lisa Goodrich of Petersham and nephew Jay Desilets and his wife Urszula of Shrewsbury and their children Matt, Logan & Aidan. When Cha was born, the average lifespan for a person with Down Syndrone was 40, she paid that statistic no mind. At the age of 68 years of age she had lived in a group home for 9 years and had outlived her parents. She was born on Sept. 21, 1946 to Henry & Ella (Gaudet) Desilets and lived her life in Leominster. Cha enriched the lives of everyone she met. She lived a full and extraordinary life. She loved the time spent with her workshop family at the A.R.C. in Fitchburg where she went for over 35 years. She enjoyed participating in the Special Olympics, taking trips to Disney World, Graceland, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, a cruise to the Bahamas, trips to Old Orchard Beach, dancing at the A.R.C . sponsored dances and the ones held at the Franco American club. She loved watching Murder She Wrote, the big M (McDonald’s), drinking coffee, diet Coke and Elvis. Her family wishes to thank her loving and caring staff at the A.R.C. and special friend Cheryl Robillard for their many years of dedication to her. The family also wishes to thank the staff (especially Kizito ‘George’ Lumanyika) at the group home, for their tremendous care, devotion and love that they gave to her when she required so much time and attention. And a very special thank you to the people from Health Alliance Hospice Care for all that they did to help Cha with her medical needs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the A.R.C., at 564 Main St, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to the Beacon of Hope, 62 West St., Leominster, MA 01453. Calling hours will be held at Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St. Leominster, MA on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be at St. Cecilia’s Church, 180 Mechanic St, Leominster, MA on Thursday Aug. 27, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery.