Clarice Ann Rossignol, 77, of Gray, Maine died Monday, June 27, 2022 at Maine Medical Center after complications from a fall at home. Clarice was born December 22, 1944, to Radcliffe and Verna Holmquist. The youngest of nine children, Clarice was one of the last two students to attend the one room schoolhouse in Westmanland for all eight grades. Clarice graduated from Caribou High School in 1962 and went on to graduate from Chandler School for Women in Boston as a Legal Secretary in 1964. Clarice never worked in a law office but was very proud of having worked at MIT in Cambridge. She had colorful stories of her time working at Badger, A.S. Hanson, and EG & G International in the 1970s. Later in life, Clarice worked for Walmart, Foley’s Bakery, Marden’s and Goodwill.
Clarice became a single mom twice, first when divorced and then when widowed. Her daughters, Katherine Bielk of Lisbon and Rachael Lopez of Gray, were both with her when she passed. Clarice had built and sold her home in Raymond before building a duplex in Gray and becoming a landlord. She had several long-term tenants who became her friends.
Clarice passed on her love of jigsaw puzzles and board games. She enjoyed working outside and keeping an eye on the neighborhood. She was a crafter throughout her life, quilting, crocheting and other fiber arts. Clarice loved hummingbirds and flowers, Ancient Egypt, treasure hunting and romance novels. She loved her granddaughters, Ava Lopez of Gray and Renee Winkfield of Lisbon, and always wanted more pictures of them.
Clarice was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Joseph Rossignol; her brother, Harvard Holmquist and his wife, Madeleine; her sister, Janet Ketch and her husband, Herbert; her brother, Wayne Holmquist; her brother, John Holmquist and her sister, Gale Holmquist.
She is survived by her daughters and granddaughters; her brother, Judson Holmquist and his wife, Leona; her sister, Linda Sharp and her husband Warren; her sister, Fern Counes and her husband, George; sister-in-law, Anita Holmquist (Wayne); and sister-in-law, Verna Holmquist (John).
Clarice was loved and will be missed.
Arrangements were made with Wilson Funeral Home in Gray. Memorial visitation will be held Saturday, August 27, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Clarice will be laid to rest in the family plot in New Sweden at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels, Give Kids the World or the Special Olympics.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Clarice Ann Rossignol, please visit our floral store.