Obituary of Marie Evangeline Eva Boudreau

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and mémé to many, Marie Evangeline “Eva” (Marchand) Boudreau, age 99 years, on December 17th, 2021, at home with her loving family by her side, Eva left this world and went to be with the Lord. Born in Arichat on May 3rd, 1922, Eva was the daughter of the late Joseph Alcide and Eva (Richard) Marchand from the Head of the Harbour in Arichat. She always said she was made from the good stuff: “Moi j’ai eu toute la crème” as she was the eldest and got the best that her struggling parents could provide. In her teen years, Eva traveled for work to Montreal and Massachusetts, to name a few places. Later, she married the love of her life, Fulbert Boudreau, a local musician with a voice that has been compared to the likes of Jim Reeves. After Fulbert’s untimely passing in 1967, Eva went on to raise their 6 children on her own while caring for her aging in-laws. Over the years, she helped to raise her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless others. Like her father, Alcide, who fed anyone who dropped in from the community, Mom enjoyed cooking and serving homemade meals. She usually had cookies on the counter, and if not, she would whip up a batch before your eyes. Her home smelled of fresh bread and baking. Her recipes will be enjoyed by her family for generations to come. Over the years, she worked as a driver for children with special needs. She then worked at the cafeteria at Isle Madame District High School. She was very involved in the local CWL in Petit de Grat and would cater for many weddings and events that would take place at the hall. Mom was also an accomplished seamstress and made many bridesmaid dresses, a few wedding dresses and altered many outfits for people in the community. She didn’t refuse a person coming to the door with a garment needing repair. Mémé had numerous talents! She sewed many “quillos” for all the children, grandchildren, and even her sibling’s grandchildren. Everyone loved them. It was wonderful to snuggle in a blanket and tuck their feet in that little nook she created. She knitted many tiny hats for the newborn babies at the hospitals but wouldn’t accept credit for doing so. She even learned the “Chéticamp hooking” technique and made many little keepsakes for family and friends that will be treasured always. Our family will remember her for her delicious chocolate chip squares, her homemade chocolate chip cookies (that were always in a foil-lined cookie tin in the bottom of the cupboard), the glass jar of cold water in the fridge, her macaroni salad, her coleslaw, her meat pie on Christmas Eve, her stories, her priceless conversations with Marcell and our numerous family gatherings where she would serve a Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. With her heartwarming smile and always the last to eat, what mattered the most to her was our mere presence. She made sure you left her home well fed and feeling special. October 14th, 2006, at age 84, Mom came to know Jesus as her Lord and Saviour and gained peace in her life not compared to anything else. Not long after, she was baptized in the Atlantic Ocean on a beautiful summer day. She truly enjoyed reading her Bible and spending time with other believers. She is survived by her daughters Pauline (Andrew) Boudreau of Havre Boucher and Michelle (Blain) Samson; sons Laurier (Marie) Boudreau of Coldbrook, Marcell, West Arichat, Yvon and André (Earlene) Boudreau both of Petit de Grat; her loving Grand-children Shelley, Darcy, Allison, Jacob, Matthew, Joel, René, André, Gilles, Celena, Chasta, Jannick, Kenzie, Tessa, Keyaunna, Kai; several great-grand-children one great-great grand-daughter Maeva; brothers, Venère (Patsy) Marchand of Louisdale, Bernard (Diane) Marchand of Scarborough, Ontario; sisters, Edith Samson of Alderney Point, Delia Samson of Arichat, Etta (Mark) Boudreau of Port Hawkesbury and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by her sister-in-law Jackie Brewster of Coldbrook. Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by the love of her life Fulbert, son, Carl in infancy; brothers Alfred, Velma, Arthur and also Francis and Alderic in infancy; sisters, Francine Jollymore, Lucille Landry, Clarisse David, Lorraine Richard, and Agnes DeCoste. We want to thank Michelle, Blain, and their family for providing Mom with the best care and compassion in the 30 years that she was with them. Dr. MacNeil and the palliative care nurses were a blessing in Mom’s final hours. Many thanks to the continuing care professionals (VON) who truly treated Mom like family. Finally, we want to thank our wonderful Kelsey, who cared for her as both a nurse and a loving great-granddaughter. Visitation will be held in C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home, 633 Veteran’s Memorial Dr., Arichat on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 from 2-4 & 6-9 pm. In compliance with Nova Scotia's COVID-19 public health regulations, proof of double vaccination and a picture ID must be shown to attend the visitation. A private Funeral Service will be held Thursday afternoon, December 23rd, 2021, by invitation only at the Isle Madame Christian Assembly Hall, 122 Cove Rd., West Arichat at 2:00 pm, with Elders, Dave Quigley, and Holger Verlage presiding. The funeral will be live-streamed and viewable through the following link: https:fb.me/e/2JHvv2ku Burial to follow in the Isle Madame Christian Cemetery, West Arichat. Memorial donations can be made to the Strait Richmond Hospital Palliative Care Society. To send words of comfort to the family. please visit www.chboudreau.com