Margaret Arsenault
Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother
Mrs. Margaret A. (Gaudet) Arsenault, 98, a long-time Andover resident, died peacefully at Academy Manor Nursing Home on Sunday, June 20, 2010, after a short illness. She was the widow of the late Raymond J. Arsenault with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. She lived a life dedicated to hard work, family and, most of all, to God.
The daughter of Bruno and Catherine (Gallant) Gaudet, Margaret was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada and came to the United States as a child. She took great pride at becoming a United States citizen as a young woman. At an early age, she worked in the mills of Lawrence and Andover. After 15 years at Western Electric in North Andover, she retired in 1977.
During retirement, Margaret claimed to never be bored a day in her life. She found great enjoyment in caring for her family, completing every little task to perfection. She was a talented seamstress, excellent cook, and consummate 45’s player who loved life to the fullest. She and her husband enjoyed many years of camping at Mite Jo Campground in Milton, N.H. and at Three Ponds Campground in Epping, N.H., as well as many travel opportunities, including cruises and vacations to her childhood home of Tignish, P.E.I.
Margaret is survived by: daughters Margie Feick and her husband David of Tewksbury; Marie DeMarco and her husband Justin of Andover; sons Ernest Arsenault and his wife Theresa of St. Louis, Missouri; Norman Arsenault of Andover, and Lisa Arsenault of Andover. She was the adoring grandmother of 14: Lauren Lambert of Billerica; Cara Parker of Westford; Julie Farnham of Andover; Erica Feick of Billerica; Jenna DeMarco of Andover; Deborah Miller of Burlington; Jeffrey Arsenault of North Carolina; Erik DeMarco of Allston; Amy Lane of Missouri; Dorie Hoffman of Missouri; Steven Arsenault of Charlestown; Daniel Arsenault of Missouri; Timothy Arsenault of Missouri, and Joseph Arsenault of Missouri. She is the great grandmother of 11 beautiful children.
Margaret also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, particularly Theresa DiPietro of Haverhill and Lucille Abrew of Atkinson who enjoyed weekly visits over the past several years.
A life-long member of the Sodality of Mary and Sacred Heart Church in Lawrence, Margaret was involved in prayer groups and the Charismatic movement at the parish. She and her husband Raymond were among the first couples to be married at the church which they proudly supported until its closing. She was more recently a parishioner and communicant at St. Augustine’s Church in Andover.
A woman of strong faith and devotion to God, Margaret was a beacon of faith for all who knew her.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Academy Manor Nursing Home (A2) in Andover for their kind and loving care over the past six months. They also thank the dedicated staff and volunteers at Beacon Hospice for providing extra support and comfort to Margaret during her final days.
Her funeral mass was celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex St., Andover, Thursday, June 24, 2010, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends respectfully attended. Calling hours were held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, Wednesday, June 23, 2010, from 4 to 8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be sent to:
Academy Manor Nursing Home, 89 Morton Street, Andover, MA 01810 or to Beacon Hospice, 529 Main Street, Suite 101, Boston, MA 02129.