RENSSELAER – Marie Antoinette Ladouceur (Daoust), 95, died October 22 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s.

Born in Albany, NY, on December 4, 1922, Marie was a child of the Great Depression and World War II, and tragically, a mother of the Vietnam War. Marie was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Guy Ladouceur, and her son, Lt. Lanny Ladouceur (Elaine). She is survived by her daughter, Lynnette Ponton (Robert), her son Ronald (Jane), grandchildren Lisa Ponton, Richard Ponton (Melissa), Emma Ladouceur, Guy Ladouceur and George Ladouceur, and four great-grandchildren.

Marie is also survived by two sisters, Yvonne Scully (Bill) and Irene Daoust-Coyne (Bill). She was predeceased by sixteen siblings, Rita Bigelow, Alfred Daoust, Edward Daoust, Yvette Cusick, Gerard Daoust Sr., John Daoust, Theresa Daoust, Raymond Daoust, Herbert Daoust, Roger Daoust, Wilfred Daoust, Annette Braman, Ernest Daoust Sr., Franklinette Motler, Bernard Daoust Sr., and Ronald Daoust Sr.

Marie moved excitedly through her long life – from high school cheerleader and salutatorian, to telephone company employee, to soldier’s pen-pal, to young bride, to her life-defining role as a symbol of devotion, patriotism and community as an American Gold Star Mother – by always looking forward to the next event on her calendar, and only rarely dwelling on the “could have beens.”

After a childhood spent moving from city to country and back, Marie and Guy settled in Defreetsville, New York, where they raised their three children. After Guy’s death in 2009, Marie moved to an apartment where she lived independently until moving into nursing care a few months ago.

The family would like to thank Marie’s many devoted caregivers, who, in addition to her family, included her visiting nurse, Eva Graziano, niece and nephew Donna and Bill LaMarr, Dr. Kristin Yanetti, her fellow Gold Star Mothers and the vets she called her “boys.”

Everyone will meet at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Church, 50 Herrick Street Rensselaer, Friday, October 26, 2018 at 10 AM for the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home 1700 Washington Avenue Rensselaer Thursday from 4-7 PM. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery.

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