Therese Marie Aucoin

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother Therese Marie Aucoin, age 77 at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre in Chéticamp on May 21^st, 2020. Born in Point Cross on September 1^st 1942, she was the daughter of the late William (à Marcellin à Romuald Doucet and Olive Aucoin) and Helen Rose (à Thomas Doucette and Margaret Brewer).

Mom and Dad’s undying devotion to each other has been such an inspiration to our family. They were married on December 26^th, 1959 and lived through many trials and tribulations over the years but nothing was stronger than their cherished bond of love. Dad was often working away from home and when the weekend arrived, it was such a joy to see them reunited. They worked very hard but never missed out on going dancing every Saturday night. They had many great memories from their time spent at the old homestead in Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, where Mom took such pleasure of looking out their kitchen window, watching the birds in the feeders, appreciating her flowers and seeing bald eagles soar over “le lac à Dosite”. She had such a love for nature, who enjoyed the farm and of course, over the years, her numerous fur babies.

Our mother had an extraordinary gift of connecting easily with people and making them feel special. There was always tea on the stove, time for anyone who needed her and always room for one more at the table. She was such a passionate, kind and selfless person, who was devoted to caring for her family and friends.

Mom loved challenges as shown in her ability and driven passion to try something new.  Her ambitious work ethics was a positive example to all who knew her. Anything was possible with her! She baked goods for stores, was a great cook (we will especially miss her delicious jams, fudge, bird nests cookies and meat pies), she cut hair, she made wedding cakes, she was a seamstress, she had huge gardens which she tended to and canned as much vegetables as possible, helped on the farm and for a while she worked at Aucoin’s Restaurant in the kitchen. As an accomplished rug-hooker, she worked at La Coopérative Artisanale, a job she really enjoyed. Rug-hooking – which she learned from her mother, was a huge part of her life, especially the decades that she was a home-maker with a family to raise and taking care of three elders at home for twenty-seven years. She was so gifted, designing her own patterns, dying her wool, etc. She had orders to work on full floor length rugs for people from New York, numerous special commissions and of course, sold her many pieces locally where she could not keep up with the demand. She was well known for her rugs featuring birds and a special pattern passed down from past generations, “les tapis des carreaux”. She made beautiful rugs which are scattered all over the world. It was heart-breaking when Mom had to give up this favorite hobby due to her failing health.

Even when, through the years that Mom suffered from several painful ailments, at times that many would have given up, she always maintained a positive outlook and grateful attitude. As a faithful Catholic, she believed that this was God’s will and always said, “It could always be worse”.

After a short stay at La Résidence Acadienne, in 2019, Mom and Dad became residents of Le Foyer Père Fiset in Chéticamp. Mom died as a result of a hip fracture and the surgery was just too hard on her frail heart and body. The night before surgery, her last words to us were, “I am so worried about Dad, he saw me fall. Please make sure he is ok. I will probably not survive this surgery, but I wanted to tell you that there is no measurement that can describe how much I love you all.”  This is so Mom, even during the chaos of falling, she was thinking of us.

She will be tenderly remembered by her beloved husband of 61 years, Gerard and their three children; Rosie (Armand), Chéticamp, Robert (Judy), Saulnierville, N.S. and Louise (Emile), Fort McMurray, Alberta. Their grand-children: Cory, Christine (Jacques), Camille (Amy Lou), Philip (Leah), Francine (Brian) and David. Their great-grandchildren; Damien, Emma, Dominic, Amy and step-great grandchild, Gracen Boudreau. She also leaves behind her brother, Marcel Doucet (Brampton) Ontario, sister-in-law Catherine Aucoin (Chéticamp), brother-in-law and his wife, Philias and Laura Aucoin (Chertsey) Québec, brother-in-law Théobert Chiasson (Chéticamp) and brother-in-law Ronald Brown (Middleton). She will also be sadly missed by her numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. We cannot help but mention that Mom will be greatly missed by her 2nd cousin and dear friend, Dauphine Aucoin. Through their special bond of friendship which started during their childhood, Dauphine was always so good to Mom, especially during these past few years when Mom’s health was deteriorating.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by siblings; Catherine Mame, Gordon, Russel and many other members of our extended family.

We have no doubt that this gentle soul is now an angel watching over us and was welcomed to heaven with open arms, reunited with loved ones into the eternal peace of God’s kingdom where she is finally free of pain and suffering.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Le Foyer Père Fiset who made Mom’s final months in long-term care as comfortable as possible during her rapid decline. As well, a very big thank you to the many compassionate doctors, nurses and other health care professionals involved in her exceptional care. The compassion and kind gestures towards Mom and the family during her final journey among us, go beyond the call of duty and will never be forgotten.

Our Mother was a very giving person. We ask that in her memory, you extend an act of kindness to someone who is alone or less fortunate during these unprecedented times. Her legacy of kindness and selflessness will continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to know her and be loved by her.

            Mom, your love tied the heartstrings of our entire family. Your devotion and care were the ties that bound us as one. We love you and will carry you in our hearts forever. Tu ne seras jamais oublié Maman. Toujours dans nos coeurs.

Cremation has taken place. A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine and will be announced at a later date due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Memorial donations can be made to Le Foyer Père Fiset or St. Joseph’s Church.