Laura Jean Provoast

Laura J. Provoast March 16, 1933 - July 13, 2017 Laura passed away peacefully on July 13, 2017 at McLaren Bay Region Medical Center, age 84 years. The daughter of the late Lawrence and Elsie Chartier, Laura (Chartier) Provoast was born on March 16, 1933 in Bay City, Michigan. Laura married Lowell Provoast on December 1, 1956 at Visitation Church, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Laura graduated from T.L. Handy High School in 1951 and then worked at Dow Corning for 8 years. She was a wonderful stay-at-home mom for many years and then worked as a noon lunch aide at McAlear-Sawden Elementary School for over 20 years. She was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish (St. Vincent de Paul) and the Red Hats Society for many years. Laura loved spending time with her family, grandkids, and friends. She had a wonderful, carefree spirit, was always smiling and always had candy to share. Some of her favorite things were the 23 winters she and Lowell spent in Arizona, visiting casinos, playing cards, travelling and being silly with her grandkids. Left to cherish her memories are her husband, Lowell; daughters Tina (Carey) Lauzon, Nancy (Bob) Field, Sheri (Tom) Parker, Jennifer Provoast (Mike Roth and Jenny Kier); grandchildren, Lewie and Maggie Lauzon; Breina (Josh) Pugh, Sarah and Sgt. Brandon Field, USMC, Lauren and Kristen Parker; sisters Virginia Markel, Harriett Leonard, Carol Lewis; sister-in-law Betty Purtell; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Marian and Merle Chartier, Al and Bev Provoast. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law Edith and Garfield Provoast; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Pat & Evelyn) Chartier, Howard (Cecelia & Mary) Chartier, Tom Chartier; sisters and brothers-in-law Maxine (Harry) Primeau, Edna (Dick) Lipan, Carmen Chartier; and brothers-in-law, Gary Lewis, Ray Markel and Robert Leonard. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish - St. Vincent de Paul. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera with Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place at 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mrs. Provoast will be taken to the church on Tuesday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to the wishes of the family. Our family would like to thank the staff at Bay Shores Rehab Center and McLaren Bay Region ER and ICU.