Vanessa Lydia Racette

Plattsburgh Vanessa Lydia Racette, 82, of Plattsburgh, went into the arms of God on November1, 2009 at CVPH Medical Center. She was born in Plattsburgh on February 22, 1927, daughter of the Lester and Elsie (Bourdeau) Burdo. Vanessa married Roland Racette on November 25, 1950 at Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. They spent 51 ½ years together until July 25, 2002 when Roland suddenly passed away. Vanessa was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. She was never more pleased than when someone would drop by and the wonderful aroma of pies, cakes and baking powder biscuits would greet them. No one ever left her home without having a sweet treat from the oven. She was loved by all. She enjoyed spending time cooking, sewing doing redwork embroidery and especially spending time with her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were always a special joy to her. A devout Catholic, Vanessa was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Spiritually, she was most happy while attending Mass or praying the Rosary. Vanessa is survived by three children, Iris Archer, Carletta "Carla" Vidock and her husband, Tod , Elston Racette and his wife, Brenda all of Plattsburgh, six grandchildren, Michael Archer and his wife, Raechelle, Arielle Archer and her companion Michael Mora, James Collins, Derrick Racette and his fiancée Heidi Dragoon, Katrina Racette, Shane Racette, five great grandchildren, Gregory, Kiana, Alexander, Skylar and McKenzie Archer, three sisters, Carmeleta Panton of Plattsburgh, Ola Hawk of Buena Park, California, June Durnil and her husband Vance, of Lodi, California, two brothers, Robert Burdo of Morrisonville, Reginald Burdo of West Chazy, a special niece, Melissa Champagne of Georgia and several other nieces and nephews. Vanessa was predeceased by her parents Lester and Elsie Burdo, her husband, Roland Clement Racette, her brothers, Lindsley Burdo, Fletcher "Joe" Burdo, Arnold Burdo, Loyal Burdo and two other brothers who died in infancy, two sisters, Shirley Forgette and Gwendolyn LaRose. At Vanessa's request there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh. In lieu of flowers donations in Vanessa's memory may be made to St. Peter's Church Endowment Fund. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com