Claude Fourel was a very kind, creative, and gentle soul, the second child of French immigrants, Georges and Marguerite Fourel. Georges was a career first chair violist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Marguerite was a gifted linguist and career French teacher and author of several French grammar books. Marguerite was an extremely devoted and resourceful mother who was absolutely instrumental in and responsible for creating and providing resources to children and adults experiencing intellectual challenges, resources that did not exist during Claude's early childhood.

Claude became a resident at the Walter E. Fernald Development Center in Waltham, Massachusetts, one of only a very few institutions serving the community at that time. Claude was entrusted with and delighted in caring for infants at Fernald, in line with her compassionate nature. Marguerite remained centrally active in Claude's care. Claude spent all her vacations with family, especially at Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, as well as summers at the family farm in New Hampshire.

Marguerite meanwhile was always actively seeking a more comfortable home for Claude and she was able to discover one at 769 Washington Street, Brookline provided by Specialized Housing. There, Claude blossomed and thrived for several decades in a warm atmosphere with several roommates who became a family.

During that time, Marguerite was central in creating and developing a sheltered workshop in Brookline called Gateway Arts. Claude got up every day for decades and took a bus to Gateway to pursue painting among her peers engaged in various arts.

When Marguerite passed away in 1995, her older daughter Jeannie Cooperman took responsibility for keeping Claude's routine intact. Jeannie took over the parental responsibilities required to keep 769 Washington Street and Gateway Arts viable. She also arranged for Claude to spend Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving with family. After Jeannie moved to the farm in New Hampshire, her son, Chris Lee, transported Claude to and from the farm for the holidays for many years. When Jeannie passed away in 2018, she and her husband Sheldon Cooperman left money in trust to continue Claude's life without change. Chris Lee and Jack Rogers managed and oversaw Claude's affairs thereafter.

Finally, age forced Claude to leave her beloved 769 and Gateway to take up residence at 32 Ransom Road.

Claude had a full and rewarding life. She was adored by her family, friends and community. She was a warm and resilient soul who endured the vicissitudes of a changing world with grace and courage.

Claude is survived by two nephews, Chris Lee and Steven (wife Kathy) Lee, and a grand-niece, Elizabeth Lee.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday June 6th at 11:00 AM in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Brookline Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flower donations may be made to Gateway Arts https://gatewayarts.org/donate/