Gemma (St. Amand) Mathieu, 91 entered into rest on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, after a courageous battle with pneumonia. She was the wife of Maurice Mathieu for 62 years.
Born in Canada, she emigrated to the United States as a young child soon after the death of her mother (at age 21) and eventually became a US citizen on the day before she was married. Gemma worked as a seamstress in the garment industries of Fall River, Massachusetts and New York City, and then eventually settled back to Fall River after her marriage to become a homemaker. Gemma enjoyed reading novels, opera and travel, where she traveled extensively with her husband in North America, Europe, Hawaii and Bermuda. She was a member of Notre dame de Lourdes Parish in Fall River (now called Saint Bernadette’s) and a former member of the Allegro Glee Club for many years. As a young girl, Gemma sometimes sang on Fall River local radio during French-speaking broadcasts.
Besides her husband Maurice, Gemma leaves four children, Albert Mathieu (former wife Lori) Richard Mathieu (wife Janet), Paul Mathieu (wife Robin), and Marc Mathieu (wife Donna), all of Fall River, and five grandchildren. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Emma (Jean) St. Amand and the stepdaughter of the late Yvonne (Boudria) St. Amand. She was also the sister of the late Adrienne LePage (husband Raymond) of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Monday at 8 AM from the South Coast Funeral Home, 1555 Pleasant St. Fall River, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM at St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave. Fall River, MA. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, mass invocations or donations may be made through Saint Bernadette’s Church.