DESVEAUX (Aucoin), Thérèse --
Sometimes in life you see something that looks ordinary only to be surprised that it is anything but…
Thérèse (Aucoin) Desveaux, 83, from St. Peter’s Parish in Chéticamp was one such surprise – a truly extraordinary woman. And those of us who had the great fortune to cross her path are better people just to have known her. It sure didn’t take long to be charmed by her quick, easy smile and that glint in her big blue eyes.
So what was so special about a busy working mother of eight children who taught school and later worked at the post office?
The thing is Thérèse never ‘seemed’ too busy – if you walked into her big homey kitchen, she took the time to get to know you, in those small ways that others missed. She always saw the positive in you, like she saw in everything and everyone. When friends came from far and wide to the best Bed & Breakfast/Inn (though Therese never charged a dime), they found lemon squares & date squares on the counter, chocolate ice cream in the freezer, or whatever food you had expressed as a favourite. Mom never forgot. She was on top of everything.
Thérèse had deep values yet there was a catch. She had this simple acceptance and recognition of the real and profound dimensions of each human being, regardless of belief, origins, and even bad decisions. People ALWAYS came first. Especially if they were children. She was Mom to eight and what a Mom she was!
Thérèse was the daughter of the late Paul Aucoin and Malthilde Aucoin of Saint-Joseph du Moine, and the wife of the late Jacques Laurent “Jimmy” Desveaux. She is survived by six daughters, Imelda (Hugh) Sullivan, Isabelle (Leo) Aucoin, Lucille (Dave) Lonny, Nora (Charles) MacDonnell, Bernice (Victor) Chiasson, and Dina (Peter) Desveaux; and two sons, Harold (Mary) and Paul-Angus (Joan). Also surviving Thérèse are her 15 cherished grandchildren Christopher, Rodney, Daniel, Kimberley, Christine, Victor, Darryl, Clinton, Renee, Nicole, Gisèle, Juanita, Jamie Lynn, Gregory and Janelle; and 13 great-grandchildren. Thérèse is also survived by her sisters Denise and Marguerite (Clifford) and a brother, Patrice – all in Sydney. She’s predeceased by her brothers, Willie, Francis, Freddie, Ned, Placide, Eddie, and Moise; and by one sister, Marie-Hélène.
In the absence of her we are all diminished, but we take comfort in the many years of sharing our lives with such a generous, patient, gracious, and optimistic woman. Thérèse loved music (especially the fiddle) and threw fabulous kitchen parties. She had such a young spirit - loved and lived life to the fullest. We also take comfort in her being reunited with those she missed dearly, especially…
We imagine her late husband “Jimmy” is overjoyed at being reunited with his beloved wife. They’re probably looking forward to a long overdue game of crib and dancing to one of their favourite songs before they last separated:
“As long as old men sit and talk about the weather;
As long as old women sit and talk about old men,”
I’m (and we’re) gonna love you forever, forever & ever, AMEN.
...
Sometimes in life you see something that looks ordinary only to be surprised that it is anything but…
Thérèse (Aucoin) Desveaux, 83, from St. Peter’s Parish in Chéticamp was one such surprise – a truly extraordinary woman. And those of us who had the great fortune to cross her path are better people just to have known her. It sure didn’t take long to be charmed by her quick, easy smile and that glint in her big blue eyes.
So what was so special about a busy working mother of eight children who taught school and later worked at the post office?
The thing is Thérèse never ‘seemed’ too busy – if you walked into her big homey kitchen, she took the time to get to know you, in those small ways that others missed. She always saw the positive in you, like she saw in everything and everyone. When friends came from far and wide to the best Bed & Breakfast/Inn (though Therese never charged a dime), they found lemon squares & date squares on the counter, chocolate ice cream in the freezer, or whatever food you had expressed as a favourite. Mom never forgot. She was on top of everything.
Thérèse had deep values yet there was a catch. She had this simple acceptance and recognition of the real and profound dimensions of each human being, regardless of belief, origins, and even bad decisions. People ALWAYS came first. Especially if they were children. She was Mom to eight and what a Mom she was!
Thérèse was the daughter of the late Paul Aucoin and Malthilde Aucoin of Saint-Joseph du Moine, and the wife of the late Jacques Laurent “Jimmy” Desveaux. She is survived by six daughters, Imelda (Hugh) Sullivan, Isabelle (Leo) Aucoin, Lucille (Dave) Lonny, Nora (Charles) MacDonnell, Bernice (Victor) Chiasson, and Dina (Peter) Desveaux; and two sons, Harold (Mary) and Paul-Angus (Joan). Also surviving Thérèse are her 15 cherished grandchildren Christopher, Rodney, Daniel, Kimberley, Christine, Victor, Darryl, Clinton, Renee, Nicole, Gisèle, Juanita, Jamie Lynn, Gregory and Janelle; and 13 great-grandchildren. Thérèse is also survived by her sisters Denise and Marguerite (Clifford) and a brother, Patrice – all in Sydney. She’s predeceased by her brothers, Willie, Francis, Freddie, Ned, Placide, Eddie, and Moise; and by one sister, Marie-Hélène.
In the absence of her we are all diminished, but we take comfort in the many years of sharing our lives with such a generous, patient, gracious, and optimistic woman. Thérèse loved music (especially the fiddle) and threw fabulous kitchen parties. She had such a young spirit - loved and lived life to the fullest. We also take comfort in her being reunited with those she missed dearly, especially…
We imagine her late husband “Jimmy” is overjoyed at being reunited with his beloved wife. They’re probably looking forward to a long overdue game of crib and dancing to one of their favourite songs before they last separated:
“As long as old men sit and talk about the weather;
As long as old women sit and talk about old men,”
I’m (and we’re) gonna love you forever, forever & ever, AMEN.
...