Gabrielle Lillian Roy

Gabrielle ‘Gabie’ Roy, 88, of Waterville, Maine, passed into eternity on May 13, 2023 at Lakewood Northern Light Continuing Care. She was born October 24, 1934, the eleventh child of Joseph Philippe Auguste Roy and Marie Jeanne (Couture) Roy. She was predeceased by her five brothers; Louie Roy (Rachel), Emile Roy (Rose), Joseph Roy, Elie Roy (Evangeline), Noel ‘Spat’ Roy (June) and four sisters; Yvette Roy, Theresa Boudreau (Joseph Edgar Aurele), Sr. Marie Roy, Anna Bolduc (Richard), along with four nephews; Richard ‘Rick’ Roy, James ‘Jim’ Boudreau, Ronald ‘Ron’ Boudreau and Andrew Roy. She is survived by her beloved sister, Lucille ‘Lu’ Roy, who was by her side all the days of her life. Other survivors include two sisters in law, Theresa Roy and Jeanne Roy, along with dozens of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was educated in the Waterville school system and was a lifelong parishioner of Notre Dame Catholic Church. As a young girl, she joined her father and siblings to sing at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Upon graduation, she began her long career at Grondin’s Dry Cleaners, a family-owned business, where she worked as a dedicated employee for over 50 years.

As a member of the greatest generation, her early life was shaped by the years and events of World War II. Four of her brothers were drafted into the service for the duration of the war. Her fifth brother was in the Korean War. Gabie, along with her siblings lost their mother when they were all quite young so their eldest sister, Theresa, took over the role as the main caretaker of the family. When their father became ill, it was Gabie and Lu who cared for him at home for a number of years until his passing. Although they endured some difficult times, the Roy family stuck together and remained close all the days of their lives.

Gabie loved her family. She and her sister Lu attended numerous family parties, special events, holiday gatherings, reunions, weddings, showers, graduations, etc. She and Lu were also the Santa’s Elves at Christmastime and never missed their ritual of buying countless gifts and delivering them in sacks for all of the kids of their siblings, dropping them off late at night to avoid being discovered by the children. Gift-giving was part of their nature, along with sending cards for all occasions. Their love was palpable!

They were also the researchers and family historians for the Roy family, creating two volumes of family genealogical importance, to distribute to each member in the family tree. This prompted their visit to Normandy, France on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Gabie and Lu hosted weekly gatherings in the original family homestead where they engaged in heated lengthy debates about controversial issues, but even with their differing opinions over the years, no one held grudges. Truly, the family had an unbreakable bond of love! The nieces and nephews of Gabie and Lu will forever be

inspired and grateful for their endless unconditional love and devotion to all of us. They are truly considered to be the HEART of the extended Roy family!

A special ‘thank you’ to all the staff at Lakewood, along with the Beacon Hospice staff for all the kind, gentle, loving and supportive care that was provided to Gabie, especially in her final days. Our family is very grateful to all of you!

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, May 18th from 5-7 pm at Veilleux’s Funeral Home in Waterville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Roy family.