Obituary of Isabelle Marie Audet

Isabelle Desgagnés Audet, 100, passed away peacefully and rightfully claimed her seat in heaven on May 4, 2024. For Isabelle, a lover of God and babies, family meant happiness. She was the mother of 10, grandmother to 15, and great-grandmother to another 10 and counting. Family was always the truest definition of wealth, and to her, there was no better way to spend a life than just as she did, rocking babies for 100 years.

As a devout Catholic, she spent her life establishing a “direct line” to the man upstairs for which she was widely revered. With a passionate commitment to justice and her own moral compass, Isabelle was never afraid to question the stance of politicians or high clergy, writing many a letter to to express her dissenting opinion and to advocate her point of view. Her commitment to God and the teachings of the Bible were perhaps most evident in her charitable giving even when she was in need and in her volunteer work to help anyone less fortunate than herself.

Isabelle was predeceased by her husband René Audet, daughters André Steele, and Elizabeth Maynard, son Dominque Audet, and grandchildren Christine Succi, Corey Audet, and Erin Steele. Isabelle was also the last of her family of 12 siblings, closing out an incredible generation. While these losses brought great sorrow to Isabelle and our entire family, we find peace knowing she has a robust welcoming committee on the other side of the pearly gates.

Born on September 19th, 1923 in Les Éboulements, Quebec Isabelle spent her childhood on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River with her siblings and parents Maurice Desgagnés and Marie Rose Alba (Boudrealt) Desgagnés.  She moved to the US at the age of 18 in 1942 while serving in the Canadian Air Force during WWII where she met her husband René Audet on a train back from basic training. After the war they settled in Darien, Connecticut and later Wells, Maine. Despite spending over 80 years in the US, Isabelle remained close to her Canadian family and French Canadian identity. She’d be the first to tell you that the happiest years of her life were spent in Quebec and moved back and forth with her young children in tow several times throughout her adult life.

In her later years, she moved to Kennebunk, Maine where she enjoyed watching the birds, frequent visits from loved ones, and being surrounded by her many family photographs which captured memories and covered the walls.

As the Grand Matriarch of the US- based Audets, Isabelle’s home was a gathering place for family and friends across all generations. We all loved her heroic endeavors in the kitchen, cooking for a crowd, and enjoyed discovering all the ways she attempted to sneak vegetables and fiber into every dish. She was famous for her crêpes, ‘salades’, meat pies, “veeeshtables”, and legendary wheat germ frosting birthday cake.

She is survived by seven of her children, Normand Audet and his wife Ann, Anne Audet, John Audet, Robert Audet and his wife Melinda, Vincent Audet, Tommy Audet, Lisa (Audet) Bickford and her husband Ralf; and grandchildren Elana Audet, Luke Maynard, Courtney (Audet) Muñoz, AnneMarie Winkler, Lauren Audet, Sarah Audet, Wolf Audet, John Steele, Stephanie Emmons, Jake Bickford, Natalee Bickford, Isiah Audet and many many great-grandchildren.

Isabelle’s passing leaves a hole in her family as well as her community. Her loss will be felt deeply by all who were lucky enough to witness one of her giggle fits, see her light up at the sight of literally any baby, catch her sneakily unwrapping her gifts well before Christmas (always), or wear any of her lovingly hand-sewn fashions. And we will think of her fondly every time we score a deal on organic kale, make up Franglish words to win (cheat) in Scrabble, forget our Flintstone vitamins, or pop out our false teeth to scare young children.

A celebration of Isabelle's remarkable life will take place at St. Mary's Church in Wells, Maine, on Wednesday, August 14th at 11:00am with a private gathering to follow. She will be laid to rest alongside her loved ones at Charlevoix Cemetery in Les Éboulements, Quebec, Canada, on Saturday, August 17th.