Charlene Gillespie

Charlene L. Gillespie, 61, of South Windsor, loving wife of Peter P. Gillespie, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, (January 31, 2007) with her caring husband and daughter by her side at Hartford Hospital. Born in Lewiston, ME, a daughter of the late Maurice and Charlotte Ruth (Cox) Lavoie, she had resided in East Hartford for many years prior to moving to South Windsor nineteen years ago. She was a graduate of East Hartford High School and was a member of the school Glee Club. She was employed as a manager of Accounts Payable and Travel of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., in Windsor for the past 25 years. Prior to working at Konica Minolta, she was employed for several years by Colt Firearms. Charlene was a member of the Business Travel Association and had a passion for reading and home shopping. However her greatest love was being a proud grandmother who enjoyed playing with and spending time with her granddaughter. Besides her parents a brother, Philip E. Lavoie of New London, predeceased her. Charlene is survived by her beloved husband, Peter, of twenty-four years; a devoted daughter, Michelle Philopena and her husband, Edward J., of Tolland; two step-children, Kevin Gillespie of Cos Cob, Kara Gillespie of Greenwich; four sisters, Suzanne Lavoie-Steben and her companion, Leon, of Savannah, GA, Linda Morrow and her husband, Donald, of Vernon, Jill Lavoie-Gagnon and her husband, Raymond, of Manchester, Gisele M. Lavoie of Glastonbury; her precious granddaughter, Katelyn Rose Philopena of Tolland; two step-grandchildren, Skye and Summitt Gillespie both of Cos Cob; devoted friends, Todd Calder, Melanie Fogarty, and the entire Calder family; special friends, Pam and Dave Muzoleski of Catskill, NY; many nieces, nephews, and co-workers. A memorial service celebrating Charlene's life will be Saturday, February 3, at 3 p.m. at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with Rev. Mark B. Abernathy officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Saturday from 12 ?3 p.m. Memorial contributions in Charlene's name may be made to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT, 06108. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.