Pauline M. D'Anjou

BELMONT Pauline M. D'Anjou (Charest), 71, formerly of Manchester, NH, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2016, at her daughter's home after a lengthy illness.
Pauline was born in Stewartstown, New Hampshire in 1945 to Freeman and Delia (Vincent) Charest, the 3rd of 4 children. Pauline spent her childhood in Canaan, Vermont on her family's small farm. She attended Catholic schools and worshipped at the Assumption Church of Canaan with her family.
It was during this time that Pauline met the love of her life, Gilles D'Anjou, and at the age of 19, and after a short court-ship, Pauline and Gilles wed.
Pauline was a hard worker and at an early age, Pauline began working across the NH/VT border at the Coos County Nursing Home in West Stewartstown, NH. A short time later, Gilles joined the United States Army in order to better provide for his young family. It was at this time that the family moved from different States, sometimes across the Country, numerous times, as Gilles was often reassigned to a different post at a moments notice. Pauline protected her children and handled this endeavor gracefully, never letting her children feel or see the stress involved as she knew that moving far away and changing schools was stressful enough for her children. She was stubborn and when she made up her mind about something, that's just the way it was…never wavering in her decisions, beliefs or values.
After many years of moving across the Country, the family settled in Manchester in 1980. Pauline began working for BAE in Nashua, NH as the children finished school. In 1999 Gilles passed away and Pauline continued to work for BAE. She continued to keep a meticulous home and tend the gardens. When Pauline was not working, she was out with friends or family doing something fun and memorable. She spent a great deal of time with her children and grand-children. Pauline retired from BAE Systems in 2010 after 30+ years of service.
Pauline treasured time with family and especially enjoyed going away to camp every summer with the family for a week. She also enjoyed the Lakes Region, beach, taking walks, hiking, snowshoeing, gardening, shopping, going out with friends, vacationing in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico, Florida and the Cape. Many times her good friend and neighbor, Doralice, accompanied her on these vacations where they always had a fabulous time. Pauline especially enjoyed her vacation on Cape Cod with her sister, Carol, where they lounged on the beach, drank wine, and shopped daily.
Pauline was a devoted mother, loving wife, steadfast friend, sister and daughter. She was dedicated to her family, and determined to do the very best that she could in any role that she was given. Pauline will always be loved and remembered for her dedication, honesty, gracefulness, integrity, generosity, smile, and her fun-loving spirit. She will be sorely missed.
Pauline is predeceased in death by her husband, Gilles D'Anjou in 1999; a sister, Noella D'Anjou, in 1986; her father, Freeman Charest, in 1987; and her mother, Delia Charest, in 2012. She leaves behind her children, Norman D'Anjou of Tilton,NH, Rene D'Anjou of Franklin, NH; and Christine D'Anjou Bolduc and husband, Steve, of Belmont, NH, her grandsons, Jason D'Anjou and Michael Bolduc both of Belmont, 3 step-grandchildren, Lynna, Bobby and Steven Bolduc, her brother, Claude Charest and wife, Terry, of Canaan, Vt.; her sister, Carol Chaloux of Lyndonville, Vt., her beloved cat, Winnie, her wonderful, thoughtful, and caring neighbors who always looked out for her and whom she and the family always appreciated, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion, friendship and support to Pauline and her family as they traveled this difficult journey.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 207 Hemlock St., Manchester, NH. An interment service will be held in the spring at St. Brendan's Cemetery in Colebrook, NH at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pauline's memory: Alzheimer's Association, 166 S. River Road, Suite 210, Bedford, NH, 03110.