October 23, 1933 – August 16, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, age 92 at Foyer Pere Fiset, Cheticamp, surrounded by her loving family.
Gemma was a daughter of the late John W. and the late Elizabeth (Bourgeois) Roach.
Mom loved to bake and she was in charge of providing all the desserts for every family holiday gathering. Despite making double batches of numerous desserts, in true Cape Breton fashion, she always fretted that there might not be enough for everyone. Of course there was always plenty. We will certainly miss her butterscotch pie, apple pie, mèmères squares and cherry cheesecake!
She very much enjoyed going to the casino with her son-in-law, Ron and was always so excited to share her winnings. She was also an avid reader and we are so grateful that she was able to enjoy her books even in her final days.
Mom’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and she was especially proud of her grandchildren, Chantal and Charlie, whom she loved dearly. They are fortunate to have many wonderful memories of their sweet mèmère.
She was a faithful and loving servant to God and she would say to anyone and everyone she met “I will pray for you my dear”. She lived her life in gratitude and her positive attitude and deep faith in God helped sustain her during the difficult times.
She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Gizelle Chafe (Ron); grandchildren, Chantal Chafe (Will) and Charlie Chafe (Andrea); and brother, Lionel Roach (Janet); as well as her sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her close friends Leona and Peggy with whom she spent much time with while living in Sydney.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Charles Bourgeois; her son, Eric Bourgeois; brothers, Gerard Roach and André Roach; and her sister, Marie Thérèse LeBlanc.
We are so very thankful for the kind and compassionate care that mom received from Dr. Stephanie Ellerker while living in Sydney and Dr. Amelie Maillet during the final months of her life. A huge thank you as well to all the wonderful staff at Foyer Père Fiset and Sacred Heart Community Health Centre. As mom used to say, “You are all Angels on earth”.
Rest easy Mom. We love you always.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 9:30 am in St. Peter’s Church, Cheticamp with Father Daniel Gustave and Deacon Gerald LeBlanc officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, Cheticamp.
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