Obituary
Antoinette (Bonvouloir) Garceau, 87, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, died April 18 peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Toni, as she was lovingly known by her family and friends, leaves behind her beloved husband of almost 62 years, Bernard (Bernie) K. Garceau. She was the proud, loving and devoted mother of seven children, Andrea (Michael) Noriega of Tampa, FL, Amanda (Albert) Oliva of Greenwich, CT, Nicole (Mark) Lane of Kyle, TX, Bernard Jr. of Austin, TX, Armand of West Barnstable, MA, Gisele of Framingham, MA and Amie (William) Sanborn of Milford, MA. She was the proud Memere of eight grandchildren, Gabrielle, Adrienne (TJ), Zachary, BK III, Victoria(Randall), AJ, Will IV and Corinne. She also leaves behind two great grandsons, Jason and Travis.
Toni was predeceased by her parents, Armand and Antoinette Bonvouloir, her sisters, Claire (Harry)Wells of Burlington VT. and Marcelle (Dr. Robert) VanVooren of Southbridge, MA, and her brother, Dr. Armand (Monique) Bonvouloir of Newport,VT. She leaves behind her sister Louise (Edward) Rougeau of Dayton, OH.
Toni was born in North Adams, MA. December 10, 1928. She graduated from St. Ann’s Academy in Marlboro, MA. and received a BA in French in 1950 as a member of the first graduating class from Anna Maria College in Paxton,MA. After graduating from college she taught sixth grade at Houghton School in North Adams, MA. While raising her seven children she received her Masters of Education in 1970 from North Adams State College (now MASS College of Liberal Arts).
While living in North Adams she was a substitute teacher at Drury High School and taught Freshmen French at North Adams State College. She and Bernie lived in Holyoke, MA from 1973 to 1979. While there, she sold real estate. They then moved to Brockton, MA in 1979 and she was a French substitute teacher at Brockton High School. At retirement, they moved to Franklin, MA from 1986 until 1996.
She and Bernie permanently moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL in 1996. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church where she served as Eucharistic Minister to hospital patients, was a choir member and lector. She baked numerous desserts for the funeral receptions held at the Sacred Heart Parish Center.
Toni was an avid bridge player, enjoyed reading, gardening and loved to cook and bake for her family and friends. Making fudge was one of her favorite activities in her retired life, always having it at the ready to give to friends, neighbors, a delivery person and anyone else for whom she felt thankful. She was always ready to give to others and put a smile on their faces.
Toni had a strong Catholic faith and will be missed by many.
In lieu of a viewing, a celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in New Smyrna Beach, FL. If desired, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Assoc, 2180 West State Rd 434 Suite 1100, Longwood, FL 32779, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 2381 Mason Ave, Suite 100, Daytona Beach, FL 32117 or Sacred Heart Church, 998 Father Donlon Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168.
A special thank you to the Vitas Hospice Team, and the other wonderful people who gave her such tender and loving care, including: Regina Ahisene, MD, Amber Folker, Brittany Asby, Holly Ware, Norma Bell, Jean Greer and Rachel Leonard.
Jerri