Jean A. Rainville

HIGHGATE – Jean A. Rainville, age 65, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with health issues on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at her home in Highgate.

She was born in St. Albans on September 21, 1957 to Laurette (Roussin) and the late Maynard Rogers Jr.

Jean was born and raised in Swanton on a dairy farm. At a young age, she worked as a waitress at the Sunset Restaurant, a job she took great pride in. She met Jacques, the love of her life, at the Tea Company. The two dated for a year and decided to tie the knot. They celebrated their marriage at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Highgate where they were devoted parishioners. After marriage, their family was complete after four wonderful children and the purchase of the Rainville Ranch in 1986. “Cakes by Jean” was the baking business she started and took great pride in. She made numerous wedding, anniversary, and birthday cakes for family and friends. Jean was always busy. When not baking, Jean was an avid crocheter, making blankets and hats to keep her family warm. She loved completing challenging puzzles, as there was often one being built on the table.  Jean’s grandchildren were her pride and joy, cherishing them even before they were born. Her family will remember her as the most selfless, and nonjudgmental mother and grandmother. She lived life by the Lord and had an open-door policy, where all were welcome, but the rule was that you had to eat while you were there. Jean’s loving nature and dedication to her faith made her the lady that she was.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jacques Rainville Sr. of Highgate; her children, Sarah Boulrice of Champlain, NY, Alex Rainville and his best friend Sundae Totten of Sheldon, Eric Rainville and his wife Lesley of Sheldon, and Jacques Jr. “Willie” Rainville of Enosburg; grandchildren, Brooklyn, Madison, Sierra, Wyatt, Jackson, Abigail, Gemma, Eliza, Isaac; great grandchildren, Sofia and Scarlette; her mother, Laurette Rogers; her siblings, Maynard Rogers III and his wife Carol, Ronald Rogers and his wife Cheryl, Teresa Urban and her husband Bill, Richard Rogers and his wife Penny, and Jennie Boudreau and her husband Ronald; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeannine Rainville, Ramonde Perron and her husband Edward, Claudine Deslandes and her husband Pierre, Monique Watts and her husband David, Muriel Reed and her husband Chris, Diane Doe and her husband Terry, Linda Pollander and her husband Barry, Sylvie Rainville, Daniel Rainville and his significant other MJ Columb; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and special friends. Besides her father, Jean was predeceased by her mother and father-in-law, Raymond and Emilienne Rainville, step mother-in-law, Solange Viens, and brother-in-law, Denis Rainville.  

Family and friends are invited to Jean’s life celebration events to include visitation from 5-8:00 PM on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT.   

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the St. Louis Catholic Church, Lamkin Street, Highgate, Vermont. Interment will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.  

For those who wish, contributions in Jean’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7023 or ADANewEngland@diabetes.org.

Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area’s exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com