OBITUARY: Estelle D. (Tougas) Fugere, 93

Below is an obituary from Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home:

CHELMSFORD, MA — Estelle D. Fugere (Tougas), 93, formerly of Wilmington MA, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, at Bridges by Epoch in Westford. Estelle was the beloved wife of Noel O. Fugere, who passed away earlier this year, with whom she shared nearly 72 years of marriage.

Estelle was born in Central Falls, RI, on December 9, 1931, to the late Leo and Jeannette (Moreau) Tougas. Raised in Central Falls, Estelle attended St. Matthews Church and school and spent many idyllic summers at Camp Ker-Anna in Cumberland. Estelle lived her life in service with a decades-long career that began with third-shift work at Hasbro while Noel was completing his college degree. Over the years she held secretarial and accounting employment in banking and the IRS. After retiring from the IRS Service Center, Estelle focused her attention on her young grandchildren and worked part time in the clerk’s office at the Wilmington Town Hall and for several years as an administrative assistant for Saint Dorothy’s Church. A devout Catholic, Estelle served as a Eucharistic Minister, giving Communion to homebound parishioners as well as to the sick at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. Estelle was also known to run St. Dorothy’s annual Christmas bazar fundraising event and was especially proud when she booked “Wally,” the celebrity mascot of the Boston Red Sox, for photo opportunities! Throughout her life, Estelle enjoyed several hobbies that included bowling, knitting and ceramics. She loved helping her friend and neighbor set up ceramic classes and even taught her grandchildren the basics of applying glazes.

Estelle leaves her daughters Jeanne Gilchrest and her partner James Hyatt of Chelmsford, Diane Sawyer of Clayton, North Carolina; grandchildren Joshua Gilchrest of Lowell, Dana (Sawyer) Torpey and her husband Sean of Somerville, Jacqueline (Sawyer) Schiwek and her husband Daniel of Clayton, NC, Catherine Joanna (Sawyer) Duran and her husband Shaun of Cary, NC, and Clark J Sawyer, III and his wife Paola of Tewksbury; and five great grandchildren: Stella and Finn Torpey, Lucia and Liesl Schiwek, and CJ Sawyer. Estelle was a dear Matante to several nieces and nephews. Estelle also leaves her brother Norman Tougas. She was predeceased by her beloved brothers and sisters Muriel (Tougas) Turgeon, Alfred Tougas, Madeleine Tougas and Gerard Tougas

Visitation will be held at Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 12-2 PM, followed by a Catholic service honoring both Estelle and Noel at 2 PM at the funeral home. After the service, all are welcome to join the family for a meal in memory of Estelle and Noel nearby. Directions will be provided during visitation hours. Interment will be held privately.