Born July 8, 1930 in Marlborough, she was the daughter of the late Marion (Beaudreau) Gaudette and Henry Gaudette.
She is survived by her children, Ellen Bousquet and her husband Mark of E. Longmeadow, Nancy Marinaro, Janet Brown and Laurie Buckley, all of Marlborough, and Stephen Marshall of Lowell, as well as her grandchildren, David and Matthew Letendre, Julie Braswell, Christopher, Brent and Kyle Bousquet, Branden Marshall, Danyelle Moccia De Lucia, Naomi and Nicole Brown, Samantha, Christian and Nicholas Buckley, and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Roger Gaudette, and son-in-law, Tony Marinaro.
Adele was a lifetime communicant of the former St. Mary’s Church, and she took an active role in parish activities, served as a lector and Eucharistic minister to the shut-ins, and for many years a member of the Assumption Guild. She was a graduate of the former St. Anthony’s School and St. Anne’s Academy.
Her first job as a telephone operator was at the first New England Telephone Company in the Corey Building on Main Street in Marlborough. She later worked at Honeywell in Framingham and Digital in Marlborough for 18 years, retiring in 1992.
Adele loved roller skating and in 1948, she met her husband, Lester, at Portland St. Skating Rink, Worcester. For years she was an avid reader, borrowing and reading seven books a week from the local library. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, especially the NY Sunday Times.
Adele and Lester traveled many roads on bus trips up and down the East Coast through Canada. She especially loved Vermont and New Hampshire, often taking their children “up country” camping. As their grandchildren came along, they also enjoyed the special vacations leaving them all with cherished memories. Dear to her heart, she sponsored a child from Haiti for over 25 years.
Adele was known for her amazing gift of whistling, from soothing her young grandchildren to whistling in harmony with birds while sitting on her porch. Whistling an entire song to perfection, with ease, was a pleasure for her family and friends to hear.
Alzheimer’s consumed her life for the past six years. Smiles and joy were brought to Adele at home through continual care and support of her devoted husband, family and friends, especially by her good friend, Barbara Ryan, always with a vase of wildflowers by her side. Most recently her cat, Menew, brought her much comfort.
She died peacefully with her loving family by her side along with the most caring and compassionate nursing staff on Granger Two at Marlborough Hospital.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, Nov. 21,at 11 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beach Street, Marlborough.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Alzheimer Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.
