Yvonne (Brideau) Farine, 98, wife of the late Michel Farine, formerly of Beresford, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Foyer Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes in Bathurst. Born in St. Isidore, N.B., she was the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Brideau. Yvonne was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She is survived by her son John (Louise) of Bathurst and her daughter Diane (David) Gauthier of Beresford; five grandchildren whom she adored: Danica Farine (Drew McNeill) of Bathurst, Mark Farine of Ottawa, Katie Gauthier (Aaron Patterson) of Ottawa, Michele Gauthier of Halifax and Emilie Gauthier (Jeremy Morais) of Bathurst; two great-grandsons Simon and Avery; a niece, Thérèse Doucet, who was like a daughter to her and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by an infant son, Michael; eight brothers, Gilbert, Edmond, Leonard, Leo, Alcide, Emile, Jean-Paul, and Wilfred, and two sisters Ida and Angelina.
After leaving home in 1937, Yvonne worked in Moncton and Montreal before moving to New York City in 1948. She met her future husband Michel, from Switzerland, at a 1951 New Year’s Eve party in NYC. In 1958 they moved to Stamford, CT where they lived until 1965 when they moved to Bathurst with their two children. They ran the Acadia Hotel and restaurant on St. Andrew Street which was soon converted to a rooming house, until 1991 when they retired and bought their first home, in Beresford.
Despite having left school at a young age to help her family, she managed to run her own business, travel extensively, and remain interested in politics and current affairs to the end. She was a very cool Mom, a very progressive, open-minded and giving person, enjoying rock music in the 1960s and 70s with her kids, and was a keen observer of the social upheaval of that era. She always rooted for the underdog, except in tennis where her hero was -of course- the Swiss, Roger Federer. She was always available to give advice or just listen if you needed her. She loved dancing with her husband; but family gatherings were what she treasured most.
She was very grateful for the kindness and care she received in her final years from the staff at the Foyer.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Foyer Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes or a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home, Bathurst (www.elhatton.com).
