POTHIER, Claire Thérèse – age 84, Wedgeport, Yarmouth Co., passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, April 26, 2018. Born in Wedgeport on October 2, 1933, Claire was the daughter of Évé and Sadie (Pothier) Pothier. She attended a local school then went to Sacred Heart Academy in Meteghan for her high school years, graduating in 1951. The following year she attended Normal College in Truro and obtained her teaching license. She taught primary grades at West Quinan School (1952-53) and primary grades at Wedgeport North School (1953-54). In July 1954 she married Richard LeBlanc and they resided in Wedgeport. Claire became bookkeeper for a service station business they owned. She also substituted for teachers on several occasions. Music was always a great part of her life as she sang in many choral groups through the years, one of which was La Chorale Acadienne du Sud-Ouest. Richard loved to sing and there were many sing-songs in their home, as she played the piano. Both she and Richard were members of St. Michael’s Church Choir, where she was also an organist. Claire enjoyed entertaining residents at nursing homes, bringing them joy by playing songs they knew. Sadly, Richard died in 1979 and she sold the service station. In 1988, Claire was re-married to Gérard Pothier, also a musician who became St. Michael’s Church organist in her place until his death in 2004, at which time she resumed the duties as organist. Claire was a dedicated volunteer for St. Michael’s Parish, the Cancer Society, the Wedgeport Tuna Museum and the Argyle Historical and Genealogical Society, having written several articles for the latter’s newsletter, The Argus. She was an amateur genealogist and was a member of a team that published a book about Wedgeport families in 2004; she was always ready to help someone find their “roots” if she could. She was also a member of a quilting group that donated quilts to nursing homes and the needy. Claire was a member of Le Club Acadien Seniors, having served as Secretary/Treasurer. She also loved to knit, tend her flower garden, play cards and keep scrapbooks. She is survived by sons, Roland LeBlanc, Wedgeport; Michael LeBlanc, Moncton, N.B.; daughters, Sandra (Warren) Cottreau, Wedgeport; Kathleen LeBlanc, Ottawa; grandchildren, Matthew LeBlanc, Quebec; Natalie LeBlanc, Montreal; Felicia Cottreau, Yarmouth; Heidi (Warren Lalonde) Cottreau, Ottawa; great granddaughter, Isabella, Montreal. She is also survived by step-children, Lori Pothier, Ottawa and Michelle Pothier, Staynor, ON; step-grandchildren, Isabelle, Benjamin, Gabriel and Lucy. Also surviving is a sister, Leona Pothier, Wedgeport; sister-in-law, Maureen Pothier, California, as well as by several nieces and nephews. Aside from her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Richard LeBlanc and her second husband, Gérard Pothier, as well as by brothers, Charles, Harold, Hector and Martin in addition to six siblings in infancy. Visitation took place on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. with prayers at 8 p.m. at the H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home in Wedgeport. The funeral Mass was held on Monday, April 30th at 11 a.m. from Saint Michael’s Church, Wedgeport, Father Albéni d’Entremont officiated. Interment followed in the parish cemetery. Donations in memory of Claire may be made to Saint Michael’s Church Cemetery Fund. You may leave messages of condolence or sign the on-line guestbook by visiting www.huskilson.net