Alice M. (Houde) Ouellet died late Sunday evening at Lawrence General Hospital, following a period of declining health.
Alice was born in Lawrence, on August 2, 1921 to Appollinaire and Emma (Moffette) Houde. The youngest of 11 children, Alice was educated in Lawrence and Salem NH schools, being the first member of her family to obtain a high school diploma.
On October 5, 1946, she married the love of her life, Charles H. Ouellet. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage before his death in 1995.
While attending Salem High School, Alice worked in a diner across from Rockingham Park, where jockeys and owners enjoyed a home cooked meal. Her career path took her to Kennedy Cleaners in Lawrence, then Raytheon, Andover, where she worked as a cable assembler on the Hawk Missile Program. After many years as a homemaker, Alice worked for 10 years as a surgical instrument inspector for Codman & Shurtleff, a division of Johnson & Johnson, Randolph MA. After retiring in September 1986, Alice and Charlie relocated to Holly Hill, Florida to enjoy a warmer climate. In 1996, Alice returned to New England, settling in Salem, NH to be near family and the seasonal climate that she loved.
A devout Catholic, Alice started her day with daily Mass, a recitation of the rosary, followed by many prayers for family, in thanksgiving for all her blessings, and to all her favorite Saints. Alice loved her family above all else. She was blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren, keeping books of all their awards and accomplishments from the time they were born. She especially enjoyed a cup of tea, a good rocker, and reminiscing old times. The afternoon would find her watching movies from her extensive video collection. Never a materialistic person, she felt blessed for each day, only made better if she could enrich someone else’s life. She has left a mark on all who knew her, and will be missed by all who loved her.
Alice is survived her daughter Elaine M. Sarkisian and her husband Aram of Salem, NH, a son Ronald C. Ouellet and his wife Patricia (Arey) of Orlando, Florida, 3 grandchildren, Jennifer, Patricia, and Kevin Ouellet, and a great grandson Thomas Aiden Pierce, all of Florida, sisters-in-law Rose Houde of Holly Hill, FL, Edna Houde of Lawrence MA, and Rose (Ouellet) Vermette and her husband Dr. Emile Vermette of Nashua, NH, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services: calling hours 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway Methuen, MA 01844 followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Lucy Church, 254 Merrimack St., Methuen, MA at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to one of the following: Sarah Care, 201 Route 111, Hampstead, NH, 03841or to Salemhaven Van Fund, 23 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079.