Obituary of Valerie L Boudreau

Valerie L. Boudreau, a woman devoted to her family and faith, passed away at Stonebridge Assisted Living on Thursday, February 14, 2019. She was 83 years old.

Valerie, the youngest of three daughters, was born in Petit-de-Grat, Nova Scotia, Canada.  She spent most of her early life in East Boston before moving to Burlington in 1965.   Valerie became a United States citizen at age 16.

Valerie graduated from U Mass Amherst in 1957. While at U Mass, Valerie made many lifelong friends through her sorority, Chi Omega.  She then embarked on a long and successful career, working for a number of different organizations in the area. 

 Valerie had many interests.  She loved history and the arts.  She enjoyed relaxing with her needlework projects.  Valerie loved to travel, visiting many destinations in the US and abroad.   She was a supporter of the Schooner Adventure, a nonprofit organization that worked to restore and preserve the Schooner Adventure for the enrichment of future generations and love of the sea.

Valerie was a devout Catholic and an active parishioner at St. Malachy’s Church.  She frequently attended daily Mass, and nurtured many lasting relationships there. 

Valerie was dedicated to her parents, sisters, and nieces and nephews.  She was always generous with her time, happily spending it with family and helping out whenever she could.

 Valerie was the beloved daughter of the late George and Mary Boudreau.    Loving sister of the late Vivian Cotreau and Margaret Boudreau.    Proud aunt of Susan Mellace & her husband Tony of Marlborough, Carol Archambault & her husband Steven of Lunenburg, Stan Cotreau & his wife Nancy of Billerica, Mark Cotreau & his wife Priscilla of Stratham, NH, Paula Morrison & her husband Robert of Middleton, David Cotreau of Billerica and the late Stephen Cotreau.  Also survived by many great nieces, great nephews and great great nieces and nephews.  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Friday, Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m.  Funeral from the Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 9 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m.  Burial to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.   Memorials in Valerie’s name may be made to Schooner Adventure, 4 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930 www.schooner-adventure.org 

Family Remembrance by Carol Archambault

Good Morning!  I am Valerie’s niece, Carol, and on behalf of our family I would like to thank you for joining us for this celebration of Valerie’s life.  Valerie was the youngest of George and Gladys’ three daughters.  She was born in Petit de Grat, Nova Scotia and spent her school days in East Boston.  Valerie was young when WWII broke out causing a change in the role of women in our society.  There was a need for women to go into the work force and perform jobs that previously were held by men.  My grandmother, Gladys, answered this call and her daughters learned of the importance of being independent, strong women.

Auntie Valerie, or AV as my brother Stan named her, was such a woman.  She graduated from UMass Amherst and started a career in business travelling all over the country as a representative for Proctor and Gamble.  She worked for Shell Oil Co in NYC, GenRad in Bolton, and many other companies.  During her college years she joined a sorority, Chi Omega.  Her Chi O sisters, as she called them, remained her good friends throughout her life.  They met locally, on the Cape, and travelled abroad together. 

Valerie always placed high priority on family. She was often at our home on Peach Orchard Rd., having moved with her parents and sister to Burlington in 1965. AV was always quick to help our mother, Vivian, with our busy household.  She enriched our lives by bringing us to places we may not have been able to visit such as the Boston Pops, the New England Aquarium, and even took my sister, Susan and I to Washington, DC.  She was happy to stay with us on the rare occasions when my parents could get away and pitched in to cart us where we needed to go.  AV was quick with the needle when my mother’s hemming and mending pile was getting out of control.  She was, indeed, generous with her time and talents.

Her involvement in our lives continued as we married and started our own families.  AV was at every family event, supporting us and our children.  She attended countless graduations, communions, confirmations, birthday parties and the like.  She enjoyed our gatherings and we were happy to have her with us. She would often stop at my house on her way to Sunday dinner at Mark and Priscilla’s. She never wanted to cause anyone to go out of their way for her, but would often do so for us.  There was a time when no matter whose home she was at, she repeatedly broke a wine glass.  It became a joke among us and the next thing we knew the glasses were replaced. 

Valerie was not much of a cook, Grandma had done the cooking in the Boudreau household, but she did excel at a few items.  When there was a need at church or at one of our functions AV was happy to bring brownies.  She would show up with brownies frequently giving the extras to the kids heading back to school.  At Thanksgiving and Christmas there was always a need for stuffed celery and she would happily provide that.  Her signature item, however, was her refrigerator pickles.  When she showed up with pickles she was certain to leave with an empty jar.

Auntie Valerie worked hard at being a caregiver for her mother as Grandma grew older. She left work, retired early and saw to it that Grandma’s life was as comfortable as possible.  Priscilla and Kaitlin spent countless hours with them on Hilltop Dr. during this time, laying the groundwork for the close connection between Valerie and Mark’s family that was so important to Valerie as she grew older.

Auntie Valerie was a faithfilled woman.  Her faith was the cornerstone of her life and she was confident and unafraid looking at death.  My granddaughter, Vivian, asked her why there was a picture of Jesus on her wall.  She told Vivi, “Because I like him.”  Vivi’s response was, “That’s a good thing because you are old and you will see him soon.”  Valerie smiled. That is how strong her faith was.  Her St. Malachy’s community was very important to her.  She was happy to attend 9:00 mass daily and then go to Panera’s for coffee with the 9 o clockers, as she called them.  Her good friend, Joan, was generally there and as Valerie began to fade Joan looked in on her and helped her always.  Valerie was very grateful for her friendship.

As Auntie Valerie’s health declined she couldn’t live alone any longer.  She spent 6 years at Stonebridge in Burlington.  She was a vibrant part of their community for many years.  As her illness took its toll on her she needed a health care aide with her throughout her waking hours.  These women spent 14 hour days helping Valerie to maneuver her day.  We would like to thank Cheryl, who Valerie referred to as her best friend, and Caroline, and all the staff at Stonebridge for the exceptional care they gave to Valerie these past few years.

We will miss Valerie’s quick wit, her directness, her generosity, and even that bit of sassiness that was such a part of Valerie.  We know how very much she loved and cared for us all.  She would often sign a birthday card or message to us in this manner: “Peace, AV”.  AV, we love you and we wish you peace as you join your parents and your sisters, Vivian and Peg, in heaven.