On November 2, 2017 Alice Duguay died peacefully at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, lovingly surrounded by her family who warmly sang praises to this wonder of a woman. Born in East Bathurst, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Elise (Thériault) Poirier. She was wife of the late Adrian Duguay of Church Street in Bathurst.
She is survived by her six children: Gérard (Jeannine Cormier), Jeannette (Arnie Imough), Yvette (Alvin) Arseneau, Claude (Madeleine Doucet), Claudette (Hermon Cote), and Denise (Michel) Dubé.
14 grand-children; 11 ½ great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was pre-deceased by their daughter, Marie; grand-sons Eric & Kevin Melanson; her brothers: Emile, Léo Roméo, Arthur, Lionel, Alphonse, Léon; and sisters: Régina, Corinne, Marie, Léonie, Evelyn. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family at a "young" 93 years of age.
In her early years Alice worked at the Red Ball Brewery and at Dwyer’s Bakery in Saint John. She grew up in a home alive with music strummed on guitars, from the bow of fiddle or violin and Alice always was the one to play the old pump organ. Her mom taught her to harmonize. Alice sang in choirs since the age of six years. Music was her passion and she passed this gift on to her children, grand-children, and great grand-children. She was a member of the St. Theresa Church Choir, the Sacred Heart Cathedral choir and the Senior’s choir for many years. She entertained in various amateur shows and at senior complexes throughout the Chaleur Region accompanying violinists or vocalists as well as taking part of a folk dancing group. She assisted in the care of seniors, adults with special needs and all of her grand-children. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion here in Bathurst.
A serious neck injury in February 2017 did not stop Alice’s continued focus to enjoy life. She lived with her daughter Denise since that time. Alice loved and appreciated all of her children and all of what they did to help support Denise during this time, but she especially wanted Denise and Yvette as her main caregivers. They both dedicated themselves as a great team, determined to grant their mother’s wishes to the end.
As well as her family she will be missed by nieces, nephews, and all her friends. Alice became a mother and grand-mother to so many whether they were blood related or not. She touched lives with her joy, her laughter and her way to make you feel welcome and special. She leaves us with a lot of wonderful memories— she would do anything to make us laugh and have fun. She taught us precious life lessons about acceptance, being more giving, being real, and more kind. She was not afraid to show her emotions. She was a great cook – baked great bread, made the best rabbit stew, meat pies, "pets de sœur", and sea pie. As her niece Shelley said "She is a treasure we are all lucky to carry in our heart".
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday November 5, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. only, at Elhatton Funeral home (www.elhatton.com) Bathurst. The Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 2 p.m. from the Holy Family Church.
Donations in memory of Alice may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
