"...My life is based on a true story."

Marie Rose (Cormier) Gautreau (aka Mémère to her grandchildren) was born on August 2, 1888, in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, New Brunswick, Canada, the daughter of Josué Cormier and Marie (Melanson) Cormier. Marie Rose grew up in Sainte-Marie with her ten siblings. As an adult, she moved to Halifax and later to Massachusetts with her young family.

Marie Rose followed in the footsteps of her two elder siblings, Edmond and Mélina, pursuing a teaching career at the primary school level. Marie Rose completed her teacher training in Bouctouche and was appointed to various schools over the next ten years. When Marie Rose was assigned to teach at Pre d’en Haut, the school authorities arranged for her to board with the Gautreau family. There, she met her husband-to-be, Frederic Gautreau (aka Pépère to his grandchildren). Marie Rose and Frederic were married at Notre-Dame-du-Mont Carmel Church on August 14, 1916, in Sainte-Marie. They had ten children (five girls and five boys): Viola, Liliane, William, Helen, Victorine, Normand, Arthur, Hervey, Noella and Edmond. Sadly, Marie Rose gave birth to an 11^th child in the early 1930’s, who only lived for a few short days. Marie Rose and Frederic had 33 grandchildren.

In 1918, Frederic (Pépère) moved to Halifax to work as a carpenter and help rebuild after the great Halifax explosion of 1917 leveled parts of the city. Marie Rose remained in the Cumberland Basin area of Nova Scotia while Frederic worked and built a home in Halifax for the family. Marie Rose and Frederic corresponded via letters to keep in touch and to make their future plans. In one such letter, Frederic shared his latest news and expressed his sentiment for Marie Rose. When Frederic finished building their home in Halifax, Marie Rose and baby daughter, Viola, joined him. For several years, Frederic worked as a carpenter and the family remained in Halifax.

In 1923, once the Halifax restoration was completed, Frederic traveled to Boston to seek work. Frederic and Marie Rose ultimately made the decision to emigrate to Massachusetts. Marie Rose and her five young children took a train from Canada to Lynn, Massachusetts, where Frederic had rented a home at 14 Marion Street. Around 1928, Marie Rose and Frederic moved their family to a new residence in Lynn at 383 Boston Street.

After moving to Lynn, Marie Rose and Frederic joined Saint Jean Baptiste Parish. They had five more children (one girl and 4 boys). All ten of their children attended Saint Jean Baptiste school, where French was taught along with English. Marie Rose was also active in “Les Dames de Sainte-Anne’ and “Le Tiers Ordre de Marie Rose.” Seven of their children married and had families of their own. Three of their daughters, Viola, Liliane and Noella, entered religious life as Catholic nuns in the Order of the Sisters of Saint Anne. Even after her move to Massachusetts, Marie Rose stayed very close to her parents and family in Canada - keeping in touch as often as possible. She and Frederic eventually became United States citizens, but their link to New Brunswick remained strong.

In 1929, Marie Rose and Frederic bought their home in Lynn on 78 Wyman Street; that same house remained in the family until the late 1980s. During the great depression in the 1930’s, Marie Rose and Frederic managed to retain their home and property - unlike so many unfortunate families in those times. During the depression, Marie Rose made all the clothing, jarred fruit preserves and supplemented the family’s diet with their apple tree, grapevine, and garden. Her children remember how she and eldest daughter, Viola, were experts at making one pound of meat stretch to feed 12 people.

By the mid 1940’s – after the great depression and WWII - life for Marie Rose and her family normalized once more. They often enjoyed family outings, as well as times at home, doing things like square dancing as a family.

In the 1950 Wyman Street Census with six children still residing at home – the youngest, Edmond, at age 18 - Marie Rose listed her occupation as a “sole cementer” in a shoe factory.

Marie Rose was the center of her family’s life. She was the caretaker, reference point and spiritual example for her husband and children. Their home was deeply Christian, and It was important to Marie Rose that her family pray together daily. Marie Rose’s children remember fondly her capacity for love, gentleness, and her liberal affirmations for their unique gifts. Education was also a top priority for Marie Rose. Given her past teaching experience, Marie Rose was there to encourage and assist her children throughout their school years. Due in large part to her support, nearly all of Marie Rose and Frederic’s children pursued their education in institutions of higher learning.

In her later years, Marie Rose was a loving, family-oriented and Christian example to her grandchildren. Many of her grandchildren have happy memories of Mémère and of prayer time, Catholic sacraments, family outings, reunions and her cooking. Her grandchildren always found it quite entertaining when Mémère switched from English to the French language when she didn’t want the children to know what she was saying.

Through the years, Marie Rose was the driving force ensuring she, Frederic and their ten children remained close even as the children grew and had families of their own. Marie Rose and Frederic always did their best to get their children together on a yearly basis. As their family grew and some relocated out of state, it was not always possible for the family to meet regularly. Nevertheless, to this day Gautreau family reunions continue to be held as often as possible - carrying on the tradition our Cormier ancestors started over one hundred years ago and the tradition Marie Rose continued with her Gautreau family since the 1940s.

Marie Rose lived a life of faith, courage, self-sacrifice and - above all - love. She left her home on Earth for her new home in Heaven on April 2, 1966, and forever rests in the arms of the Lord and the hearts of her descendants.