ROCHESTER ---- Alice Marie Ann Boutin, 98, died on Friday, April 12, 2024, under the loving care of her two daughters, Suzanne Boutin and Elizabeth McGrath DNP, and her husband, John McGrath, in Rochester, NH, where she lived the remaining three years of life. Alice's family was with her the week before she died.
Alice was born in 1925, the daughter of William and Celanaire (Blais) Boucher of Laconia, NH where she grew up in a strong and loving family. There she learned about unconditional love, the foundation of her being throughout her life. The ninth of ten children, she was educated at École du Sacré-Cœur and Laconia High School.
She met Bernard (Bernie) while he was a student at Saint Michael's College. They married soon after his graduation in April of 1945. What followed was a 67-year love affair producing eleven children. Her family was her greatest joy. When did she find the time for all her volunteer work as a Cub Scout leader, costume maker for stunt night at Rice Memorial HS, and all those hours dedicated to the craft committees at Sacred Heart (Laconia), St Charles (Meredith), and St Joseph's (Belmont, where she made rosaries)
Faith was the cornerstone of Alice's life. Until she was in her mid 90's, she never missed Sunday mass. While Bernie was alive, they made annual pilgrimages to the St. Anne de Beaupre shrine.
All ten of Alice's homes seemed to grow and change as the family grew and left to start new lives, creating 46 progenies plus, as Bernie was fond of saying, "one in the oven". Words can't express the pride she had in all their accomplishments.
Alice was formally recognized for her gift to humanity when she was honored by Saint Michael's College with an honorary degree in the twilight of her life.
Bernie died in 2011, followed a year later by their youngest son Bernard II's sudden death. Those two events took their toll on her. She persevered thanks to her Catholic faith and the support of her family, particularly her daughter Michelle and husband Dennis Lamper, who cared for her until she moved into a continuing care facility, Meredith Bay Colony Club, in 2017. The death of her oldest son, Edmund, a heart attack and a stroke during the late stages of the COVID were devastating. Daughters Suzanne and Elizabeth immediately took Alice under their wing and brought her to Rochester, where she stayed until her death.
Alice is survived, by her sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Boutin (Dale), John Boutin, Paul Boutin (Judy), daughters and sons-in-laws Bernadette Fischer (Bruce), Michelle Lamper (Dennis), Marie Boutin, Elizabeth McGrath (John), Suzanne Boutin and by three daughters-in-law, Linda, Carole, Gay. She is also survived, by 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is predeceased by three sons, Edmund, Louis, and Bernard II, and by all nine brothers and sisters, Kenneth, Leo, Raymond, Arthur, Francis, Albert, Roland, Rita, and Emma.
The family will receive guests in the Narthex of St Charles Borromeo Church, 300 NH Route 25, Meredith NH 03253, at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 am.
Burial will take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 2:00 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia, NH.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Alice’s name to the Boutin Family Scholarship Fund at Saint Michael College https://engage.smcvt.edu/give
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation
Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com