Obituary of Doris J. Ouellette

Doris J. Lockhart Ouellette died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Doris was born June 15, 1926 in Harrisburg, PA. She was the daughter of the late Frank & Helen (Kavaleski) Lockhart of Middletown, CT. She was raised in Middletown and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1943, where she was a cheerleader, treasurer of her class and was a member of St Mary's Church, Middletown. She co-chaired many of her high school class reunions with the last one being her 65th year reunion. Doris attended St Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Waterbury, CT, where she met her good friend Evelyn Ouellette Graboski. Evelyn introduced her to her brother Paul Ouellette. Paul and Doris were married on July 3, 1947 at St Francis Church, Waterbury. They celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on July 3, 1990, the day Paul passed away. Doris and Paul raised their four children in Madison, CT. She was a member of the PTA, a volunteer and member of the VNA as well as a volunteer fund raiser for the United Way and a member of St Margarets Church. In the 20 years Doris lived in Madison, she had fond memories of supporting her children and their many sporting events and musical activities, along with fond memories of summers spent on the beaches of Madison, Cape Cod, Maine and Florida. Doris loved reading, cooking and gardening and all sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. Spending time with her family and friends gave her such happiness and joy. In 1987, Doris moved to Killingworth to live with her son John and daughter-in-law Helen on their farm. Doris was the bookkeeper at the Madison Veterinarian Hospital for 15 years. She became a faithful member and volunteer of St Lawrence Church, participating in all their fairs, festivals and celebrations. She was a member of the Parish Council, a Eucharistic minister and greeter. She loved taking care of the altar flowers, decorating the church for every occasion and helped care for the outside gardens. She was particularly fond of the pastors, Father Michael O'Hara, Father Michael Phillippino, Father Bob Buongirno and Father Joe DaCosta, who visited her often before her passing. In memory of her husband Paul, Doris was one of three donors who funded the statue of Jesus in front of St Lawrence Church. Doris is survived by her four children, Dr John Ouellette and his wife Helen (Sprague) of Killingworth, Paul Ouellette of Barnstable, MA, Roger Ouellette and his wife Eileen (Moller) of Wilton, CT and her daughter Denise Ouellette Zanardi and her husband Dean of Killingworth. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jason Ouellette and wife Tracy of San Francisco, CA, Dr Amy Ouellette and husband Peter Cornell of Killingworth, Andre Ouellette of Upland, CA, Brett and Paul Zanardi of Killingworth and Christian Ouellette of Wilton. Doris was recently blessed with her first great grandchild, Will Cornell. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Foley, of Maine and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Edward Lockhart and sisters Cecilia Morello and Florence Stetson. As a 20 year breast cancer survivor, in lieu of flowers please make donations to: Comprehensive Breast Health Center, St Francis Foundation, 95 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105 or to St Lawrence Church, 7 Hemlock Dr., Killingworth, CT 06419. The wake and funeral will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at St Lawrence Church in Killingworth. Friends and family may call from 11am-12 noon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery in Westbrook.