Funeral services for Macile “Mae” J. French, age 74, a resident of the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home for formerly of Main Street Ogdensburg will be held on Wednesday (Nov 24, 2010) at 10:00 a.m. at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with Rev. Walter Smith officiating. Burial will be at the Hermon Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Our mother and friend quietly slept into eternity on Sunday (Nov 21, 2010) while residing at the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home. She was 74 years old, and remained beautiful throughout her life’s journey.
Mae was born on Feb 21, 1936 in Russell, the daughter of Leon C. and Versia (Spicer) Howland. She graduated from Knox Memorial High School as Salutatorian and was an avid band member. She married Roland French in 1978 and the couple spent many good times together before his death in 1988. She later married Donald Peterson and they lived happily together in Black River until she became ill.
She was a homemaker and mom to nine children, worked at Syracuse China, Potsdam Laundry and various sewing and seamstress jobs. She was also famous for her homemade donuts.
Surviving is her son, Randy Gotham and his wife Martha of Ogdensburg; seven daughters, Marlene Economides and her husband Chris of Florida, Carol Miles and her husband Donnie of FL, Debbie Quigley and her husband Steve of Mannsville, Michele Bellinger and her husband Donald of Ogdensburg, Laurie Wood and her husband Bill of VA, Tammy Lesperance and her husband Dave of Ogdensburg, and Tracy Ladouceur and her husband Pete of Heuvelton; sisters Millie O’Shea, Eleanor Gates, Ruth Metz, Phyllis Hessler, and Bonnie Dennison; brothers Philip Howland and David Howland; 17 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Sherry Nichols; a sister, Bethany; and a young brother.
Her adult children reminisce about their cherished memories of Mom. Describing her strength in hard work and having a big heart. She chopped wood, dug a cellar and survived a 10 year battle with cancer.
Her children continue to remember her favorite things. The love of gardening, bird watching, canning, playing cards, the board game aggravation, which always upset Randy to get beat, and cookouts with Marlene and Carol. Shopping with Mom was always fun, especially on black Friday. The memory of Deb choking on a hotdog in the mall, Michele’s 40th birthday party where Mom liked the stripper more than her, Lori’s love of all “Moms rules”, the kind way Mom would intervene Tammy and Tracy fighting, and the constant reminder of the loving memory of Sherry.
Memorial contributions have been requested to the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home Memorial Fund. Online condolences can also be made to the family at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
