Catherine Evans Age 53 Los Alamos LeClaire

Catherine Evans LeClaire, age 53, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 after a brief illness. Cathy was a gentle, faithful and giving soul, a generous spirit always seeing the positive in others while consistently underestimating her own contributions. Cathy touched many lives with her kind, compassionate and artistic nature and her creative sense of humor. A woman of many talents she was a gifted artist, musician, and poet. Cathy had an amazing ability to create just about anything with her hands – everything from stained glass to rosaries to drawings and paintings, clothes and crafts of every kind. Her efforts were always directed towards gifts for family and friends with wrapping efforts that were legendary - inspiring in the recipient reluctance to tear open the gift. Cathy loved animals, taking many walks, usually lengthened by frequent stops to catch up with friends and their animals. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and looked forward to her visits to the East Coast. She especially loved to vacation at York Beach, Maine with her family.\r\nBorn in Methuen, Massachusetts (MA) and growing up in Andover, MA, Cathy took a particular interest in music and art, teaching herself to play the guitar with tenderness and creativity, learning guitar parts and vocals by listening to the radio. Cathy sang with a sweet clear tone, her voice and heart always giving up to God. Cathy attended the Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen Massachusetts and the University of Lowell in Lowell, MA where she met her future husband, Rene. Cathy studied several disciplines at Lowell, graduating with a BA in Commercial Art in 1979. Upon graduation Cathy worked as a commercial artist at the Lawrence Eagle Tribune in North Andover, MA. Cathy and Rene were married on October 22, 1983 while Rene finished graduate school. Upon graduation Rene accepted a position at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the couple moved to Los Alamos in 1986. Cathy immediately became involved in a number of activities at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (IHM) in Los Alamos, contributing her time and artistic and musical talents, singing with the choir, accompanying with her guitar and contributing occasional solos as well as designing and constructing banners to decorate the church. Cathy sang with the IHM quartet, a group that produced an award winning CD with the proceeds donated to the Church. Cathy also volunteered her artistic talents in a number of venues in and around Los Alamos, for example, designing the T-shirts for 10 years running for the Bandelier Races. Cathy and Rene were blessed to adopt their infant daughter, Caitlyn Rachel in May, 1991. Cathy especially cherished the role of Mom, devoting her faith and considerable nurturing nature and many talents to Caitlyn. Caitlyn proudly follows in her beloved mom’s artistic footsteps, currently studying photography and journalism at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. \r\nCathy is the daughter of Elizabeth Stohlman Evans, and the late James B. Evans, Jr., of Andover, MA. She is survived by her loving husband, Rene Joseph LeClaire, Jr. of27 years; their devoted and loving daughter Caitlyn R.; sisters Carolyn M. Evans of Andover, MA, Nancy and her husband, John Machuzak of North Andover, MA, Elizabeth Evans of Nashua, N.H.; and brothers James B. III and his wife Mary of Viera, Fla., Martin W. of West Melbourne, Fla., Daniel L. and his wife Maryann of Rockledge, Fla., and William M. and his wife Janie of Haverhill, MA, as well as many nieces and nephews. A rosary and vigil will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2011. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 also at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Burial will follow at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the Catherine LeClaire Memorial Organ Fund, The Cathy LeClaire Memorial Organ Fund Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church 3700 Canyon Rd., Los Alamos, NM 87544 – through which her faith and love of music will fill her church for many years to come. The family of Catherine LeClaire has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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