FRENCHVILLE – Cecile (Gagnon) Paradis, 95, beloved wife of the late Rosaire Paradis Sr., passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, surrounded by many of her children and grandchildren at St. Joseph Nursing Home, Frenchville. She was born Jan. 29, 1916, in Frenchville, the oldest daughter of Philip and Marie (Tardif) Gagnon.
Raised on a farm on the fourth row of the back settlements, she completed elementary school at a one-room schoolhouse, where she exhibited high intelligence and an extraordinary memory – attributes that served her well right to the end. Her one regret was that she could not continue her formal education; however, she made sure that her children did so. She treasured her French language and culture. She faced adversity early, losing seven of her 13 siblings before she turned 20. Her strong faith and indomitable spirit saw her through those difficult years. At an early age, she learned to cook, sew, knit and clean house from her mother – a former teacher – and perfected those skills well before she married Rosaire of neighboring St. Agatha May 11, 1937, at St. Luce Catholic Church. She was a meticulous homemaker and an excellent cook. The couple rented houses for a few years until they bought a large home on Main Street, Frenchville. Together they had nine children: four boys and five girls. She loved to sing and was part of the St. Luce Church Choir for several years. She was also a member of Acadian Knitters, American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 147, Frenchville, and Ladies of St. Anne. She enjoyed traveling, going to Washington state, Connecticut, Texas, California, Ste-Anne de Beaupre, Canada, and Europe. She also took great pleasure in driving, proud that she could handle “four on the floor.” She was an excellent seamstress, making her children’s clothes for years. She had a green thumb, excelling in gardening, a passion she shared with her husband. “Memere lived a full and wonderful life and was truly an inspiring grandmother. Her legacy will continue through each of us,” said grandson Dan Paradis.
Cecile is survived by three sons, Yvan and his wife, Arlene (Bouchard), of Fort Kent, Rosaire Jr. “Ross” and his wife, Judy (Ayotte), of Frenchville and James and his wife, Melvena, of Orting, Wash.; four daughters, Gilberte “Betty” and her husband, Joe Galko, of Georgetown, Texas, Rose Marie and her husband, Andrew McQuarrie, of Frenchville, Rita and her husband, Bob Hines, of East Hartford, Conn., and Janice and her husband, Norman Dufour, of Madawaska; 17 grandchildren, Edith Ann, Michelle, Andy, Mike, Dee, Joe Jr., Steve, Greg, Paul, Nina, Peggy, Dan, Marcie, Julie, Sarah, Andrea and Katelyn; 22 great-grandchildren, Spencer, Owen, Neal, Caleb, Rachel, Alex, Paige, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Jake, Nathalie, Grace, Parker, Addison, Joselyn, Damase, Elena, Mia, Catherine, Isabelle and Daniel; two brothers, Rosaire Gagnon of Grand Isle and Valere and Barbara Gagnon of Syracuse, N.Y.; one sister, Priscille and Maurice Tardif of New Britain, Conn.; five godchildren, Leo James Gagnon, Dr. Francoise Paradis, Paul Paradis, Nina Daigle and Danny Paradis; sisters-in-law, Lucille Tardif Paradis, Connie Dionne Gagnon and Marie-Mae Paradis Clavette; many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband in 1983; her son, Ronnie, in 1963; her daughter, Irene, in 1986; her mother in 1950 and her father in 1965.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at St. Luce Roman Catholic Church, Upper Frenchville, with Father Philip Cyr officiating. Music will be provided by the Gagnon Chorus and Melanie Saucier of Fort Kent. Relatives and friends may visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, and 8:30-9:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Michaud Funeral Home, Frenchville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Nursing Home Activities Fund, 426 U.S. Route 1, Frenchville, ME 04745. Arrangements are being made by Michaud Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to
www.michaudfuneralhomes.com.