Madawaska---Gaetane (Picard) Bouchard, 93, passed away on May 31, 2023, while in the loving care of her daughters, Denise and Danielle. With the caring guidance of the Northern Light Home Health and Hospice team, Mom was never alone.  She was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick on April 29, 1930, daughter of the late Sylvio "Pat" and Annie (Sirois) Picard.  Gaetane was pre-deceased by her loving husband Richard (Butch) Bouchard. She is survived by her two daughters, Denise Neal and her husband Robert of Naples, ME, and Danielle Bouchard and her partner Ruthan Lewis of Rockville, MD; many nieces and nephews.  Gaetane enjoyed the outdoors especially Baker Lake, where she spent her youth and adulthood camping every summer until she sold the camps in 2005. She swam every day the weather permitted, picked berries and hazelnuts in season. She loved to ride on the lawn tractor at the lake; often hitting every tree root and rock in her way. She was a fierce competitor in bean bag toss, Skip Bo, bridge, and square dancing.  She loved to dance with our father, and enjoyed traveling with him even more.  They shared wonderful stories after each trip. Music was a big part of her life. She played the violin, sang and danced whenever she could. She filled her days with family, fun and caring. Gaetane was a registered nurse. She was a member of the New Brunswick Association of Registered Nurses beginning in 1952 and worked at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Edmunston, New Brunswick. She loved being a nurse and worked for 39 years and beyond caring for family and friends. After she retired; she filled her days working at Daigle's Drugstore with Geoff Daigle and Rosaire Blanchette. She spoke highly of her time working behind the counter at the pharmacy. She also worked for several years at Brooks drugstore. Gaetane was also a member of NAMI/Maine, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI/Maine is dedicated to building better lives for the 1 in 4 Mainers who are affected by mental illness.  Gaetane was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Madawaska Maine, volunteering at the parish rectory for 19 years. She also devoted time singing alto in the church choir especially enjoying the Christmas season and singing at midnight mass. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.  She instilled strong family values: family is everything, always work hard, be patient, tolerant and giving and most of all, always have faith in God.  Family and friends may call at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska from 6pm to 7pm on Wednesday, June 21.  There will be no visiting hours the morning of the Mass.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church. In lieu of donations; our family would greatly appreciate a mass offering said in Mom's honor.  Also, Mom loved geraniums; please plant geraniums in her honor and think of her when you see them bloom. For online condolences, please visit www.lajoiefuneralhome.com