Lottie Gagnon

Lottie Gagnon, 84 years young, of Westfield, Vermont, died peacefully on September 3, 2008, with her family by her side.

Lottie was born in Londonderry, NH, on July 11, 1924. She was the daughter of George and Clara Boles and was one of 13 children. She is survived by her brother George Boles, Jr. of Milton, NH, and her sister, Geraldine Hunt of Farmington, NH. She was predeceased by her husband, Roland J. Gagnon in 1993, to whom she was married for 47 years. Together they raised four children who survive her, her daughters, Jackie and husband Bill Burns of Newport, Vermont, Jill and husband Bruce Fortier of Westfield, Vermont, Sandy Davis, of Orange City , Florida and her son, Peter and his wife Karen Gagnon of Amherst, NH.

The family enjoyed their early years in California, where they traveled together throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. They moved to Weare, NH, and operated the Weare Diner for many years before Roland’s retirement took them to St Petersburg, Florida, in the mid 1970’s. In 1989, Roland and Lottie moved to Westfield, Vermont, where they shared a home, and were lovingly cared for by Bruce and Jill Fortier. During the last two years, Lottie resided at Scenic View where she appreciated the careful attention from the staff and the companionship of the residents. Lottie will be tenderly remembered as a devoted wife and mother. She delighted her family with her home-style cooking and delicious pies. She enjoyed reading, playing cards with her friends, solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, needleworking and enjoying the simple pleasures she derived from her daily housework.

Lottie was the beloved grandmother to 10 grandchildren; Lisa Roy, Lynn Munroe, Cynthia Miller, Jeff Fortier, Molly Davis, Matt Davis, Nicole Watson, Mariel Gagnon, Natalie Gagnon, Sophie Gagnon and nine great grandchildren, Jillian Tetreault, Ethan Duncan, Tim and Taylor Roy, Matthew and Ashley Sliva, Luke and Levi Watson, and Kylie Davis. She leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews and special friends with a wish for them to “fill each day with happiness”.

Honoring Lottie’s wishes, there will be a no funeral service.

September
THE golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bearing down.
The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.
The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.
From dewey lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.
But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.
'T is a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.
Helen Hunt Jackson
A favorite fall poem of Lottie Gagnon