1926 – 2014
Pomfret Center – Helen (Toper) Gaudreau, 87, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Westview Healthcare. She was the loving wife of the late Richard Gaudreau. Born in Rogers, CT, she was the daughter of the late John and Viola Toper.
Mrs. Gaudreau worked in various departments at Rogers Corp. for over 48 years retiring in 2003. She enjoyed gardening, reading, swimming in her pool, traveling throughout Europe, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the United States, the UCONN Husky Girls basketball, cooking (especially homemade cheesecake,) crossword puzzles and hosting family affairs especially 4th of July picnics. She liked to read about Holistic Medicine before it was fashionable.
Helen is survived by her sons, Richard Gaudreau and his wife Debbie of Dayville, and Dr. David Gaudreau and his wife Billie Jean of Putnam; her daughters, Natalie Morey and her husband Jerry of Woodstock, and Renee Angelini and her husband Julius of Westbrook, CT; her brothers, John Toper of Attawaugan, and Richard Toper of Brooklyn; her sister Irene Koistinen of Windsor Locks, CT; and her grandchildren, Heather Robinson of Austin, TX, Adam Robinson of Mexico, Kaitlyn and Tyler Gaudreau of Putnam, Bryant Gaudreau of Omaha, NE, Scott Gaudreau of Dayville, and Ethan Angelini of Westbrook, CT. She was predeceased by her daughter, the late Donna Robinson who died in 1997.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in Saint JosephChurch, 350 Hartford Pike, Dayville, CT06241. Burial will follow in HolyCrossCemetery, Danielson. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Hwy, Ste 100, Rocky Hill, CT06067. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Dennis Gladu
I worked with Helen for over 30 years at Rogers Corporation. She was a dedicated employee and as a lead shipper ran that department as if it was her very own. Thanks for her service and my condolences to her entire family.
Dave Doiron
On behalf of my wife Joan and myself, I want to extended our condolences to Helen’s family. My mother was Bernice Doiron, a Vachon cousin via her husband Dick to the Gaudreaus. We knew that her later years were difficult for her and her family, and in that sense her passing may have been a blessing. But I know from our experiences with losing our parents that whatever the circumstances, it still is difficult when they pass away.
Helen was one of the funniest persons I ever knew. I remember one time in the 1950’s when we went swimming at Alexander’s Lake, when the “cottage” was a surplus army tent. My brother Jim and I went into the tent to put on our swimming trunks. Helen decided to kid around and said she was coming into the tent. When I told her she couldn’t, she said something to the effect that she was a mom, so why couldn’t she come in.
Sara Fritz
Dear Renee, Richard, Natalie, David and your families-
I was so saddened today to hear of your mom’s passing. As you all know, “Mrs.Gaudreau” was my second mom from childhood. Looking back at my younger years it seems like I spent just as much time at your house as I did my own and with that your mom was there to parent me offering the perfect balance of guidance, warmth, laughter and of course, discipline. To this day, I have dreams of sleep overs, playing Atari PONG in the room downstairs or swimming in the pool. Oh, and hours on end of cribbage at the kitchen counter with your mom sitting at the dining room table, drinking coffee made with the Coffee Rich she kept in the freezer. If we were lucky enough your mom would have made “Haystacks” or that angel food strawberry cake with cool whip. Renee and I kept your mom very busy bringing us to the movies, shopping or to Rogers to visit your meme. And anytime we got a little too rambunctious she would look at both of us and say now “wait a while”. Her way of telling us to settle down.
Please know that after all these years, your mom has stayed with me. She made an impression on me that will last a lifetime and she will forever be in my heart. May she rest in peace. My deepest sympathies to all of you during this difficult time.
Monique Heller
Renee and Julius, I was saddened to hear of your mother’s death. We will remember you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Monique, John, Giovanna, and Mattea
Tim Keyworth
Dear Renee and Julius,
Our deepest sympathy and condolences during this difficult time, we are very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Tim, Maureen and Addison Keyworth