Marie W Boucher

Marie W. (Labonté) Boucher passed away peacefully at the farm on July 23, 2020. She is whole and without sickness; gone home to see her Lord. Marie was born in St. Leonard, New Brunswick, Canada on December 18, 1926 to Leon and Nelida (Lebel) Labonté the third of ten children. At 18 she arrived in Gonic, NH not speaking a word of English. She met and fell in love with Paul Boucher. They married July 6, 1948. They moved to Lebanon, Maine in 1950 and raised their Boucher Brood of eight on Bigelow Road and The Farm on Hubbard Road. Paul and Marie shared 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2000. They raised their kids, ran a working farm and built the family business in East Rochester, NH; Boucher's Corner Store. She answered to Mom, Grammy and Meme Moo. Marie was endlessly generous, talented and kind. She had a servant's heart and strived to be helpful to family, friends and strangers alike. She volunteered at Frisbie Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. Every Wednesday she helped patients fill out their meal orders, brought them books or just kept patients company during their hospital stay. Marie was a gifted artist. She and Linda owned Boucher's Cake Decorating creating amazing birthday and wedding cakes for generations of local families. Marie learned to paint in her 50s and created hundreds of oil paintings that hang in family and friend's homes to this day. Both her cakes and paintings won awards at the Rochester Fair. She struggled to sit still, she was always moving, "busy, busy, busy" often whistling, humming or singing Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley while she worked. Where Marie really shined was in the kitchen. She was an incredible chef who made cooking for The Boucher Clan look effortless. She loved cookbooks and had a room with bookcases from floor to ceiling packed with them. She also wrote two cookbooks and shared her love of cuisine as "The French Chef of Lebanon, Maine". Her signature dishes haven't tasted quite right since she stopped cooking. They are missing her expertise and love. Marie had a strong Catholic faith her whole life. She was a communicant at St. Mary Church of Rochester, NH. In 1990 she was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order at St. Anthony's Monastery Kennebunk, ME following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. She truly enjoyed the fellowship of her fraternity members and the brothers based at the monastery. Above all else Marie was so proud of her family. Although she was tiny in stature, she was a strong presence and kept us all in line and on our toes. Marie loved children and spent years nurturing neighborhood kids in her home and feeding them at her kitchen counter. She was always happiest with a baby in her arms, on her hip or rocking them in her chair. The family appreciates all the wonderful care Marie has received over the years. Her daughter Linda was her constant companion for the last 13 years making it possible for her to stay in her beloved home. Thanks to Tom and Melanie for running the farm and being on night-time watch. Lynn Boucher spent many days sitting with Marie. Additionally, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren rallied to make sure she was safe and happy since her fall in 2007. Our family would like to acknowledge Easterseals/Homemakers Adult Day Out Program, Cornerstone VNA Hospice Services and her "afternoon buddy" of 6 years Peg McMath for ensuring that Marie was comfortable and content. "Do not walk in front of me; I may not follow. Do not walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend." She was predeceased by her loving husband Paul, son John and granddaughter Amy. She is survived by her children Linda and Dennis Strohecker, Richard and Corrine Boucher, James and Kathy Boucher, William and Hope Boucher, Thomas Boucher and Melanie Fulcher, Michael and Carolyn Boucher and David C. Boucher. Grandchildren: Marcy(Jon), Janice, Dawn(Thomas), Brian, Sarah, Paul, Charlene(Thomas), Jared(Sherry), Amanda, Joshua (Kayleigh), Benjamin, Adam, Michael(Juliana), Kate, David P.(Ashley) and Daniel. Great-grandchildren:Dominic, Joseph, Kara, Brittany, Zachary(Leanne), Travis, Matthias, Steven(Allison), Hunter, Lucas, Connor, Keerstin, Trenten and Irissa. Great-great-grandchildren:Brianna, Edward, Annabelle and Brian. She is also survived by siblings Bernadette Martin and Gerard Labonté, sisters-in-law; Yvette Labonté, Loretta Parker and Rita Parker, cousin Claudette Nichols along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral Mass and burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to these charities close to Marie's heart: St. Mary Church 71 Lowell Street Rochester, NH 03867 Easterseals/Homemakers Adult Day Out Program 215 Rochester Hill Road Rochester, NH 03867 Cornerstone VNA Hospice Services 178 Farmington Road Rochester, NH 03867