Odile A. (St.Gelais) Rivard

Odile A. (St. Gelais) Rivard, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the age of 93. She was the wife of the late Normand R. Rivard, to whom she was married for 56 years. 

She was born in Lousana, Alberta, Canada on January 7, 1931, one of fifteen children of the late Wilfred and Elizabeth (Clermont) St. Gelais.

Odile was a talented seamstress for many years, from Porters Dress Shop to Braeburn, where she made uniforms for servicemen.  Eventually, she retired from USCI/Bard in Billerica.

Her hobbies included sewing, exercising, gardening, the beach, traveling (especially Aruba), and sweets.

She was a member of the Ladies Sodality of the Parish of St. Rita and was also a long-time member of KOPS (Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly).

She is survived by her four children, Diane M. Townsend and her husband William of Fort Mohave, AZ, Ronald A. Rivard of Lowell, Marianne J. Rivard of Lowell and Lise T. Zapatka of Lowell; four grandchildren, Christine Anderson and her husband Corey of Lowell, Colleen McInnis and her husband John of Hudson, NH, Catherine Townsend of Lowell, and Marissa Zapatka of Fort Myers, FL; two great grandchildren, Lilly Anderson and Emily McInnis; two brothers, Hector St. Gelais of Nashua, NH and Roland St. Gelais of Naples, FL; two brothers-in-law, Arthur “Duke” Saucier of Dracut and JP Emile Rivard and his wife Elaine of Tyngsborough; two sisters-in-law, Claire St. Gelais of Dracut and Pearl Rivard of Lowell; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Margaret St. Gelais, Henri St. Gelais, Simone Paquette, Cecile Robitaille, Claire Drouin, Rene St. Gelais, Andrew St. Gelais, Theresa Demers, Narcisse St. Gelais, Denise Duquette, Jeannette Saucier, and Armand St. Gelais, as well as her granddaughter Amber Zapatka.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care provided by her many nurses, aides, and caregivers.

Relatives and Friends are invited to her Funeral Mass to be celebrated on August 20, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Parish of Saint Rita, 158 Mammoth Rd., Lowell.  Visitation will take place before the Funeral Mass, beginning at 9 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be private.  Those wishing may make a memorial donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Association or Tufts Medicine Care at Home Hospice.

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