Bathurst - Mrs. Helena "Tootsie" Lavigne, 96, wife of the late Bernard J. Lavigne, formerly of Lavigne St., Bathurst, which occurred Saturday (November 19, 2011) at the Foyer Notre Dame de Lourdes, Bathurst, after a lengthly illness.

Born in Bathurst, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Alice (Babin) Blanchard.

She was a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Women’s League, Bathurst.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Bernard J. "Bert" Lavigne in 1975.

She is survived by six sons: Eric (Yvonne), Rudolph (Carmella), Maurice (Anita), Norman (Jean), Thomas (Rosella), Sydney (Pierrette) all of Bathurst; one daughter, Joanne Losier (Edmond) of Four Roads; one sister, Bernice Jardine (George) of Bathurst; two sisters-in-laws: Joan Blanchard of Bathurst and Lynne Blanchard of Port Perry, Ont.

16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by an infant daughter, Eleanor; brothers: Rudolph, Clarence, Wesley; sisters: Yvette and Eleanor.

The body will rest after 2 p.m. Monday at Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday (November 22, 2011) at 2 p.m. from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Andrew St., Bathurst.  Visiting hours are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 and Tuesday from noon until time of Funeral.  Donations in memory of Helena may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association or a favorite charity.