Francine Pera

Francine (Vautour) Pera, 73, of Gardner, Massachusetts, died peacefully on Monday June 9, 2025, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, MA, following a brief illness. Her husband and children were at her side.

Born in Gardner, MA, on September 6, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Gerard and Rose (Aucoin) Vautour. She graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1969. Francine later earned her Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State University and her Master's degree in Diversified Education from Cambridge College, Boston. Francine was an educator most recently employed by Mount Wachusett Community College. Previous schools and universities included Fitchburg State University, Gardner Public Schools, and health educator at Holy Rosary School. For several years, she was a branch manager for Jafra Cosmetics and an Associate Youth Minister for the Diocese of Worcester.

Francine was an active member at Annunciation Parish, practicing at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She was involved in Youth Ministry, Couple to Couple Ministry, Girl Scouts, and Gardner Jaycees and Jayceettes. She had a passion for taking part in the Holy Rosary Bazaar for many years, running the raffle booth. She also enjoyed reading, maintaining her flower garden, traveling and singing. Above all else, Francine loved spending time with her family and beloved grandchildren.

Francine is survived by her husband of 52 years, Eric Pera of Gardner; one son, Christopher Pera and his wife Julie of Gardner; two daughters, Kirstie Craul and her husband Stephen of Colorado Springs, CO, and Catherine Brown and her husband Randy of Winchendon; ten grandchildren, Caleb, Kaarina, and Josiah Pera, Iris, Laila, Liam, and Luke Craul, Jolee, Myles, and Tuula Brown; one brother, Albert Vautour and his wife Mary; five sisters, Marie Vautour, Helene Vautour, Therese Vautour, Geraldine Vautour, Christine Burke and her husband Michael; a sister-in-law, Ann Vautour; two stepbrothers, Michael Forman and his wife Pauline, Stephen Forman and his wife Judy; two stepsisters, Lisa Hall and her husband Keith, Lauri Ann Martin and her husband Robert. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides her parents she is predeceased by one brother, Maurice Vautour and her stepmother, Jeannine (Bernard) Vautour.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Please report directly to the church on the day of the service. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.

Memorial Donations may be made to Holy Family Academy, 99 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440, in memory of Francine Pera.