Simone Paulette Gauthier

05/12/1944 - 06/28/2023

Waterford - Simone Paulette Gauthier, beloved wife, mother and Mémé, 79, of Waterford, passed away peacefully June 28, 2023, at her home. She was lovingly and unconditionally cared for by her wife, Lynn MacMorrow. They shared a beautiful life together for 29 years and have been married for the last seven of those years. Born May 12, 1944, in Pawtucket, R.I., Simone was the daughter of the late Honorius and Loretta (Morrissette) Gauthier.

She was a graduate of Manchester High School. She married in 1963, had two sons and a daughter (Todd, Erik and Victoria), was very involved in the ministries of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester, and then St. Luke Lutheran Church, Gales Ferry. She also went on to earn a B.A. degree at Eastern Connecticut State University and began a career with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut where she started InfoLine (211), the information and referral branch of the UW, eventually serving as executive director. In 1985, she decided to pursue a career in real estate with Re/Maxx Realty Group as a real estate agent where she enjoyed a successful career. In 1987, she divorced and moved to Saratoga, N.Y., where she fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening a Bed & Breakfast. However, several years later, missing her friends and family back in Connecticut, she decided to return. She purchased a "little (smurf) house by the sea" in Waterford, and met her adventurous soulmate, Lynn. She began substitute teaching for the New London and Waterford School System and then in 1993, she took on a position as the regional director for Marketing and Outreach for the United Way of Connecticut, until she retired in 2008.

Simone simply created a life of love. Her exuberance, passion, energy, joy and lust for life were incredibly contagious. She could frequently be found planting flowers around the yard, perfecting her cleaning and organizing skills with anything she could get her hands on, planning her next outfit (with matching accessories of course!), while singing to her favorite artists - Whitney Houston, Lee Greenwood, Linda Ronstadt and Helen Reddy. She was happiest with her soulmate Lynn by her side and their furry companion Tucker as they went on many camping trips and boating adventures.

Simone is survived by her sisters, Claudette Brophy of South Attleboro, Mass., and Suzette Morin of Dunnellon, Fla. She is predeceased by her brother Harvey Gauthier; and son Erik Gothberg. She leaves behind her wife Lynn; her son Todd Gothberg of Asheville, N.C.; daughter Victoria Stolzman of Colchester; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces/nephews; and an incredible legacy. She was a light in the world, and she shone brightly.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.