Gloria C. Fournier

CHESHIRE - Gloria Yeager Fournier died on May 29, 2023 at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden, CT, after suffering a brief illness.  She is survived by her sons Mark, Paul and John and her daughters-in-law Pat and Sandra.  Laurie was born on September 22, 1927, in New York City, NY, daughter of Margaret and Ralph Yeager.  Laurie always felt the need to show love to those around her and always welcomed being with family and friends. Her generosity and kindness knew no bounds. She also had an independent streak and a determination to do what she thought best. 

Her early childhood was marked by scarlet fever and a stutter.  A local priest was able to get her placed at Thevenet Hall Academy (a Catholic boarding school for girls) in Highland Mills, NY, where she flourished.  Play acting in short school dramas eased her stutter and she became a proficient piano player.  The caring attention of the nuns at the school sparked an interest in education that never left her.  

Her strong academic studies earned her a scholarship to Manhattanville College, then located near Harlem, where she attended from 1945-1949.  Being in New York City afforded her the opportunity to go with her parents to see many Broadway plays, attend the opera at the Metropolitan Opera House and watch the New York Giants play at the Polo Grounds. 

Graduating with a degree in Music and Education, Laurie pursued a business career for a short time in New York.  After quickly becoming bored she opted for a different path.  She enlisted in the Marines Corps in 1950, where she met her future husband Captain Marvin Fournier.

Marv and Laurie were married at Camp Lejeune, N.C. on January 31, 1953.  Resigning her commission shortly after being married, they moved to Kittery, Maine where Marv was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserves' 54th special infantry company.  In 1955 Marv resigned his commission and they moved to Minneapolis, MN where Marv had been born and most of his family still lived.

They raised three sons, Mark, Paul and John, while in Minnesota.  Laurie began to resume her educational studies by pursuing a master’s degree in special education at the University of Minnesota.  In 1969 Marv was offered a job by a former Marine friend, Larry Copeland, to work at Copeland Company in Cheshire and the family moved to Cheshire in 1970.  Laurie continued her pursuit of a master’s degree and achieved that goal in 1972.

Laurie worked at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Waterbury as a teacher and mentor.  She enormously enjoyed the challenges of dealing with handicapped children and always brought a sense of humor to her job.  After that agency closed Laurie worked for Head Start in Waterbury and she transitioned to an administrative role in the 1990s as it was more difficult physically to work one-on-one with children. 

The family lost Marv to Parkinson's Disease in 1991. Laurie missed Marv terribly yet found fulfillment in her work and time with family and friends.

Retiring in 2007 Laurie found happiness in her gardening, books, and books-on-tape, and one of her favorite things to do: traveling.  During the 1970s the only family vacations were driving from Connecticut to Minnesota to visit Marv's family at Thanksgiving. After Marv died and determined never again to go back to Minnesota during the winter Laurie traveled with family to Australia, Europe, Canada, Florida and throughout New England. But she always enjoyed just getting in the car and going for a drive or out for lunch or dinner.

Towards the end of her life Laurie faced some health challenges.  But she continued to assert her independent spirit and tried to rise above her difficulties as best she could. She did so with humor and love.

Arrangements - A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Bridget Cemetery, Higgins Road, Cheshire. Friends are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. There are no calling hours and the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are asked to donate to a favorite charity or, better yet, treat one's mother or grandmother to dinner at their favorite restaurant.