Ethel Marie (Barrieau) Melanson, 84, of Simsbury, beloved wife of the late Alfred J. Melanson, died Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 26, 1932, in Acadieville, New Brunswick, Canada, daughter of the late Leonard and Leonie (Richard) Barrieau. Ethel was a teacher in Canada until age 25 when she married the love of her life and moved with him to Connecticut, eventually settling in Simsbury where she resided for the past 56 years. She was a long time parishioner and supporter of St. Mary’s Church and was a volunteer at McLean, both in Simsbury. She enjoyed her summers in Bouctouche, New Brunswick where the family would gather for vacations.
She is survived by her nine children: Charline Poirier and her husband, Philip of Avon; Denise McDonald and her husband, Michael of Freehold, NJ; Marc and his wife, Tracey of Simsbury; Robert and his wife, Louise of Bloomfield; Charles and his wife, Suzanne of Simsbury; Donald and his wife, Michelle of Simsbury; Andrea Wlochowski and her husband, Blair of Bloomfield; Paul and his wife, Suzanne of Simsbury; and Daniel and his wife, Darcy of Simsbury. She also leaves 31 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and her siblings from Canada: Rev. Yvon Barrieau, Eva Martin, Sister Irene Barrieau, Cecile Barrieau, Maria LeBlanc and husband Louis, Sister Rita Barrieau, Alfred Barrieau and wife Edna, Rosa Barrieau, Aline Hache, Rhea MacDonald, Marguerite Richard, Rosaire Barrieau and Muriel, and Marcel Barrieau and wife Susan. She was predeceased by a grandson, Matthew Melanson, a brother, Rufin Barrieau, and a sister, Florine Barrieau. She also leaves her extended family in New Brunswick and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless others whom she considered family. A woman who cared so deeply for all of those she encountered and whose faith uplifted all of those around her; she will be missed greatly.
Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Sunday, January 1st from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The family will also receive friends on Monday, January 2nd at the funeral home from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury. Burial will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery. In recognition of her support of catholic education, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary’s School, 946 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 or Northwest Catholic High School for financial aid, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117, attention Advancement Office. Please visit Ethel’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.