Wednesday, June 18, 2008

With much sadness....


I discovered the obituary only today:


DOROTHY R. (ALLEN) BOUTOTTE LYONNAIS, 79
Was an accomplished seamstress

LEOMINSTER - Dorothy R. (Allen) Boutotte Lyonnais, 79, of Leominster, died Saturday, June 7, 2008, in The Highlands Care Center, after an illness.

She was born on Nov. 1, 1928, in Fitchburg, the daughter of Oliver and Rose (Morand) Allen, and lived in Fitchburg and Leominster all of her life. She graduated from St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School in 1936.

Dorothy was an accomplished seamstress and worked over 20 years for Selig, Asher Pants, and Dainty Maid clothing, retiring in 1989. When she retired she had dedicated herself to taking care of her husband who had become ill. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church.
She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Robert Lyonnais; two sons, David Boutotte and his wife, Linda, of Fitchburg and John Boutotte and his wife, Diane, of Sterling; one daughter, Joanne Barrera of Arlington, Va.; one step-daughter, Beverly Lamarine of Leominster; one sister, Lucille Salazar of Fort Worth, Texas; her son-inlaw, Larry Forgues; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her first husband, Alfred Boutotte in 1978; a stepdaughter, Sheila Forgues; and her sister, Irene Chalifoux.

Lavery Chartrand & Alario Funeral Home directed arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, Massachusetts Chapter, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

To most of you out there, this obituary won't hit home, won't have any meaning. But this lovely lady, the mother of my best friend, was an important part of my childhood. Although she may not have been famous or important in the eyes of the world, she will always remain in my heart and my memory as one of the finest persons I have ever known. I know that we look at the world differently when we are children and that our perspective often changes as we become adults. Most of us become more cynical. We forget the words of Our Lord that we must accept the Kingdom of God as children if we are to enter it. Mrs. Lyonnais always impressed me as someone who never lost sight of that fact. She possessed a youthful spirit and a generosity which I shall never forget.

I know she is with Our Lord Jesus now, somewhere in the sunlit verdant hills of Heaven. And the world is poorer.

God love you Mrs. Lyonnais. God love you!

3 comments:

  1. A truly lovely lady Paul, thank you for posting this tribute to her. I recommend your dear friend to Our Lady's prayers. May she rest in peace. Amen+

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  2. Thank you for those kind words my friend. And more importantly for your prayers. It is difficult to believe so many years have passed since I ran and jumped and played baseball and football in her backyard. Life goes by too fast. But how consoling to think of being reunited with loved ones and friends in eternity.

    A striking thought: the earth is one vast graveyard. But we have hope because one of these graves is empty.

    Amen.

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  3. People who lived their lives in love will be embraced by the Lord Jesus. St. John of the Cross said that in the end, we will be judged on how we loved.

    The soul that lives in the Lord does not die. It merely returns home.

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