Mary “Carmel” Ladouceur (born Arseneau) winged her flight to the next world at Orchard View by the Mississippi in Almonte, Ontario early Monday morning, the 8th of November 2021 at the age of 95.
Carmel was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, the youngest of seven children of Nathaniel Arseneau and Emilienne Poirier of the Magdalen Islands. A true Maritimer, she loved lobster and visiting relatives on the Miramichi River.
While working at a dry cleaner in Lachine, Quebec, she met a handsome airman by the name of Joseph Gerard “Gerry” Ladouceur of Vankleek Hill Ontario. They were married in 1948 and had five children (two boys and three girls). Air Force life took the family to various bases in Quebec and Ontario, but Ottawa was the family’s longest home. Mom’s farthest travel was to Germany and Austria to visit her daughter Cathy and son-in-law Bruce Reside. Of course, the Sound of Music was on her agenda.
Carmel was a devout Catholic who observed all the Holy Days and instilled a moral compass into the family. Christmas was a particularly important time for her even though it was sometimes a source of stress. In the end, she handled it all by combining the best of the secular and the sacred.
Carmel was a very outgoing personality who made friends easily and always showed hospitality to whomever came knocking at her door. Although unable to benefit from a formal education, she possessed many talents and virtues, not least were those of the heart. Perhaps her greatest joy was being a mother, a role she sometimes had to fill alone when our father was away on travel duty.
Carmel is the last of the seven siblings to have passed. She is survived by her eldest son Michael, [Kendyll Woodman], daughters Linda Sine [Gilles Trottier], Cathy Reside [Bruce] and Christine Campbell [Charles Kennedy], grandchildren Jolene Pilat, Sarah Reside, Amanda Reside and great grandchildren [Lane Pilat, Ivy Cotnam & Scarlet Cotnam].
The family is extremely grateful to the staff at Orchard View by the Mississippi (Almonte) for the ardent and professional care they provided to Mom throughout her time there.
At her request, a funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 13th at 11:00 am at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 44 Rothesay Dr, Kanata. Current provincial COVID restrictions will be in effect. An interment of ashes will follow at St. Philips Roman Catholic Cemetery, 37- 69 Fortune St, Richmond, Ontario. Live streaming of the funeral can be found at:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/holyredeemerkanata/
YouTube page: www.youtube.com/c/HolyRedeemerParishKanata
Note: you do NOT need to have an account on FB or YouTube in order to view the mass
If anyone has concerns about clicking links, here is the easiest way to connect:
Facebook page: google “Holy Redeemer Parish Kanata Facebook Page”
YouTube page: google “Holy Redeemer Parish Kanata YouTube Page”
And you’ll be taken directly there!
Though Carmel will be missed greatly, we take comfort in knowing that she has hastened from the mortal world of dust and will be joining our father Gerry, brother David and other loved ones in the realm of everlasting glory.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Carmel Ladouceur Arsenault Monday November 8th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario