Nathalie Chevrette, 74

SHIRLEY — Nathalie (Dufault) Chevrette, 74, of Louisiana and formerly of Shirley, passed away after an extensive illness on Thursday, April 24, 2008.

She was the wife of Ernest Chevrette Sr., who died in 1996.

Nathalie was born in Fitchburg on Sept. 1, 1933, a daughter of William and Hannah LaRose, and grew up in Fitchburg. She was a graduate of St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High in Fitchburg.

Mrs. Chevrette was the devoted mother of five children: Anne Besse and her husband, Walter, of St. Helena, S.C.; Connie Reynolds and her husband, David, of St. Helena, S.C.; Patricia Chevrette and her husband, Gordon, of Shirley; Elizabeth Zimmerman, of Bedford, Pa.; and Ernest Chevrette Jr., of Bossier City, La. She leaves a sister, Janet Skehan, of Ashburnham. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Heather Ford, of St. Helena, S.C., and Angela Frazier, of Bedford, Pa., and one great-grandchild, Lucas Ford, of St. Helena, S.C.

She was predeceased by her caring adoptive parents, Arthur and Dorilla Dufault, as well as her sister, Kay Powell, all of Fitchburg.

During the late 1950s through the 1970s, Mrs. Chevrette was a full-time homemaker as well support to her husband in his military career.

Mrs. Chevrette was a Civil War historian, actively involved in this history while living in Beaufort, S.C., and many years following.

As her children grew she took on the role as sacristan at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Shirley.

Funeral services and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 14 Phoenix St., P.O. Box 565, Shirley, MA 01464.

The T.J. Anderson Funeral Home of Ayer is assisting the family with arrangements. Please see our Web site at www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information.