Gloucester,  MA: Our beloved Mother, Memere' and Great-Memere', Rachel "Rae" Cormier, 90, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2024, in her home, with her beloved family at her side. Rachel was born in Haverhill to Eva and Lucien Cormier and spent most of her life there with the exception of the last two years spent with her daughter Maureen and husband Jim in Gloucester where she resided.

Rachel was the heart and soul of our family. Mom's love, support, patience, advice and values made each of us what we are today. We will never truly lose her as her love left an Imprint and legacy that will never fade. Her hugs and smiles will forever live on in our hearts. She was a warm, caring, compassionate woman with an irrepressible sense of humor and the ability to make friends and put anyone at ease. Rachel was gifted with her dog Mollie and the two quickly became inseparable. Mollie helped mom through hard times and in return was showered with love as mom enjoyed sitting in her rocking chair holding Mollie and singing to her.

Rachel was also a strong and devoted advocate for St. Jude and passed his legacy along to many. She had a passion for gardening and had a stunning rose garden which her children helped create. She received many compliments from neighbors and strangers alike which was a source of immense pride to her. She was self-taught on the piano, and as a teen won a local radio contest on WHAV Haverhill. With that achievement she earned a weekly segment to sing and play the piano every Saturday.

Attending auto racing with her family at Star Speedway in Epping, NH was always something she enjoyed. She was intensely loyal to famous superstar Ollie Silva, and one particular race had her charging to the pits with her six kids in tow, after she felt another driver unfairly passed him when a caution flag was up.

She enjoyed her time working at both the Yum Yum Shop bakery and Best Western in Haverhill. Her outgoing and engaging personality made her a favorite of many patrons. Rachel had a smile and a welcoming word for everyone.

Rachel volunteered for years as a poll worker in Haverhill. She loved life and found joy in any situation. Visits to mom's house always included a table full of pastries, chocolates, and sweets, which she and her children loved. Despite her penchant for sweets she managed to keep in shape and was always proud to show her gorgeous legs whenever she got the chance.

Her proudest accomplishment was raising her six children with her husband Gerard Laflamme Sr. They provided a welcoming home to anyone who stopped by and with six kids there was plenty of company. Family vacations were a real treat for their children with many memorable road trips to Canada, Upper NY State, Bar Harbor, the Seacoast, Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains. White Lake State Park was a favorite camping destination and driving with six kids in a station wagon certainly involved some funny and intense moments.

Rachel was supportive of all her children's accomplishments and kept scrapbooks of everything they did from school athletics to art shows, plays, dance, cheerleading, science fairs, and work achievements. No matter what ,she had it covered and put these memories in books that will now be treasured by all of us. She could be found in stadiums across New England as her children competed in various sporting events.

When the grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, 36 total, there were more books to fill. Rachel loved visits with her grandchildren and her smile lit up the room when they stopped by. She taught herself to use an I-Pad so she could Facetime her children and visit with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were a constant source of joy to her, and she saved every video sent to her. Her I-Pad storage was full in no time so she simply added storage as she refused to delete even one video.

Rachel is survived by her son Attorney Gerard Laflamme Jr. and wife Gina, of Methuen, daughter Linda (Laflamme) Gardner and husband Wayne, of Amesbury, daughter Maureen (Laflamme) Anderson and husband Jim, of Gloucester, son Richard Laflamme and wife Laura, of Georgetown, daughter Karen (Laflamme) Antczak and husband Andrew, of Matthews, NC, and daughter Joanne (Laflamme) Saunders and husband Mark, of Salem, NH.

Rachel is also survived by many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Christopher "Marty"  Laflamme; Jennifer (Laflamme) Kuhn, husband Josh and children Isabella and Max, Alicia Ventrillo and Ashley Ventrillo; Dr. Elise Laflamme, husband Dr. Mike Trautwein and children Caleb and Boden; Brett Laflamme, wife Nicole and children Sophie and Hazel; David Laflamme, wife Danielle and their daughter Elinor; Amanda ( Antczak) Stell, husband Mike and children Hudson and Ada Rae; Andrew Antczak Jr., and wife Alexa and children Brennan and Andrew "Thomas", III; Matthew Kimball and children Peyton and Jacob; Kristin (Saunders) Brown, husband Daniel and children, Lilah, Riley, Kelin and Dan Jr.,; Ryan Saunders, partner Cynthia and children Cayla, Jorden, Dax, Mason and Bailey; Brendan Saunders and Daniel Saunders.

She is also survived by two sisters, Georgette Tattan of Vermont, Lorraine Eaton and husband Newell of Hampton Falls NH, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Care Dimensions Hospice for their compassionate care of our mom.  Memorial contributions in Rachel's name can be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours to be held on Monday October 28, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Haverhill, MA. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: www.berubecomeau.com.