GLOUCESTER – Sylvia L. (Clarke) Doucette, 85, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2014. She was the wife of the late William H. Doucette.
Born in Little St. Lawrence, Newfoundland on July 31, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Theresa (Drake) Clarke.
In Little St. Lawrence, Sylvia’s family lived off the land and sea; fishing, farming, hunting, berry picking and raising chickens and sheep. Sylvia was happy to help her father and brother with the outdoor chores. In later life, on a trip to Sturbridge Village, with her companion, Chet Warren and her son, Rick, she demonstrated how to card wool and spin yarn, explaining that this was part of her everyday life as a girl in Newfoundland.
In 1949, Sylvia traveled by ship from her home in Little St. Lawrence to Gloucester to fulfill her dream of moving to the United States. She studied diligently and proudly became a citizen of the United States of America in 1954. When Sylvia’s sister, Olivia, also moved to the United States, they were able to share memories of family and their home with their many aunts, uncles and cousins here in Gloucester.
Sylvia married William H. Doucette in October of 1955. With their three children, they spent much of their free time at the beach, in the woods, fishing, hunting, berry picking, gardening and enjoying the outdoors. Sylvia was an active volunteer with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Pee Wee Football and a very kind and helpful neighbor.
After her husband’s death, Sylvia raised her three children, and eventually returned to the workforce at Strong Leather Company, where, for over twenty years, she was always willing to help others. Sylvia was also able to bring her mother, Theresa Clarke, to Gloucester for reunions with Theresa’s brothers, sisters and their children.
Sylvia enjoyed gardening and music. She was an avid fan of Boston sports, especially the Celtics and the Red Sox, an interest she shared with her granddaughters. Sylvia’s travels included Alaska and trips with her sister, Olivia to Newfoundland. She was a very loving mother and a devoted grandmother. Sylvia’s granddaughters' special memories include time at Good Harbor beach, in the garden, playing miniature golf, trips to York’s Wild Animal Kingdom, enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts, trips to the Clam Box, and cuddling with their Grandma D while they watched Red Sox games. Her granddaughters learned their love of gardening from their grandmother. In the later years of her life, Sylvia’s son, Rick, was her devoted caregiver, particularly during the last six years.
She is survived by her three children, Richard J. Doucette of Gloucester, Diane M. Doucette-Cooney and her husband, Christopher Cooney of Kodiak, AK and Michael W. Doucette and his wife, Donna Doucette of Alfred, ME; granddaughters, Denise C. Doucette of Seabrook, NH, Andrea L. (Cooney) Kimmel, and her husband, Patrick Kimmel of Guam and Lauren T. Cooney of Salem, OR; sisters, Carmel Boland, Elizabeth Loder and Madeline Clarke, all of Newfoundland and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including her dear cousin, Martha Gallery, of Pasadena, MD. She was also predeceased by twin grandsons, Brian and Thomas Cooney; siblings, Mary Bridget Rennie, Richard Clarke, Vivian Clarke, Helen Kearney, all of Newfoundland, Olivia McElroy of York, ME and cousin, Nina Sears of Gloucester.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, in the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.