Celine T Ayotte

“WHAT IS IN OTHER PEOPLE’S MINDS IS NOT IN MY MIND. I JUST DO MY OWN THING” …Audrey Hepburn and Celine Ayotte

How does one eat strawberries.....with sugar and heavy cream of course! How does one adorn herself for a day out with her girls...with Mardi Gras beads of course! How does one raise her family and live her life...? Her own way with love, faith, fun, strength, tenacity, laughter, and an unwillingness to quit no matter what was thrown at her. This is the legacy of Celine T. Ayotte, who left us on October 15, 2019, just six short months after the death of her loving and devoted husband, Richard L. Ayotte.

While here with us, our mother made an indelible impression on this earth. Barely 5 feet tall, she had the spirit of a giant. She was fearless, strong, stubborn, loyal, hard-working, loving and fun. Never afraid of what people thought of her, mom moved through life honoring God, living for her family and friends, and finding joy in the small moments.

Mom loved Rocky Point shore dinners, Elvis, Steven Seagal movies, playing Parcheesi with her love, Richard, and best friends, Dick and Doris, praying the rosary, ice cream, the beach, the French program, the polka, Autumnfest, rocking on the porch, midnight mass and sugar of any kind.

She was not a person you would want to attend a baseball, hockey or wrestling event with if you didn’t like to draw attention to yourself. She would heckle the referees and umpires, beer in hand, and a smile on her face.

Mom’s favorite tale to tell about her time at Saint Claire’s high school was having to wash the floors with a toothbrush because she misbehaved. The task was supposed to teach her a lesson. Anyone reading this who knew mom over the past 60 years since would probably tell you it didn’t work. She loved practical jokes and thought she was hilarious. Lying in bed pretending to be asleep on a school day, she would throw an egg at you. Washing your hair in the kitchen sink, she would hand you pickle juice instead of shampoo. Stories of her shenanigans from those who knew and loved her are endless.

We would be remiss not to talk about mom’s heart, which was as big as her spirit, but a bit more guarded. Truly selfless, she kept our family together through some challenging times, often working 12 to 14 hours per day -never complaining and still finding time and energy to teach CCD classes, cook for a neighbor, care for a sick family member, or dress as Santa to bring cheer to those in a nursing home at Christmas.

Mom was the epitome of home. A master chef of French-Canadian cooking, she usually had all three meals cooked by 10 am. Going to Celine’s was like going to a restaurant- always several items hot and ready for the taking. Growing up, our home was small, but there was always room for anyone who needed it. She had many “adopted” children whom she loved like her own.

Mom truly was a beautiful person, good neighbor, best friend, devoted wife, loving mother, and overall powerhouse of a woman. We thank her for teaching us faith, love, tenacity, forgiveness and charity…and for teaching us not to take ourselves too seriously. We already miss her terribly.

She is survived by her son Dennis and his wife Andrea Ayotte, her daughter Michelle and her husband Kyle Walker, her daughter Terry and her husband Chris Place, grandchildren Elise Ayotte with Matt Howarth, Nicole Ayotte, Victoria Ayotte, Meagan Archer with Josh Blanchard, Jordan Walker with Emily Poole, Gabe Place, Sarah Place, great granddaughter Annabelle, “adopted children” JoAnn Wilcox and Tammy Fisette Wilcox Lupoli, best friends Richard and Doris Belleville, siblings Roger and Joan Ayotte, Dorothy and Ed Archambault, Pauline and Paul Guernon, Gerard and Martha Ayotte, Robert Carolo and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard, her sister-n-law, Lucille Carolo and her parents Beatrice and Alfred Gagne.

Services will be held at St. Agatha’s Parish, Woonsocket, RI, October 26, 2019 beginning with a family receiving line at 9am, followed by a mass at 10am, and Christian burial at St. Ambrose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice or spending time with a loved one who needs some TLC.

 

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