Fort Kent--Irene Pauline (Michaud) Bouchard, Jan 10, 1926 to September 4, 2021.  Born in Wallagrass ME to Dona and Gertrude Michaud.  Attended St. Joseph's Convent in Wallagrass, ME and Madawaska Training School. In 1944, she received a war-time Victory Bike along with her diploma so that she could travel the valley to teach in a one room schoolhouse.   At 50 years old in 1976, she graduated from UMFK with a Bachelors in Education.  She loved her job, her co-workers, her students and her profession and taught for 27 years in the early grades. Falling in love at first glance, after 5 months of dating, she married Wallace W. Bouchard in 1946 and together they raised five children:

- Ellery and May (Blanchette) Bouchard of East Orland, ME;  Michael and Lora Bouchard, Aaron, Bragg, Shae and Wade Richardson, Lauren and Rob Muse, Gentry; Lori and Jasen Wood,  Keeli, Kyle, Kasey and Kaden.

- Christine Bouchard, deceased 1965, age 11

- Gloria and Phillip Villari of MA; Michelle and Carl Hediger, Estelle Irene and Wallace; Nicolle and David Dest, Rylee, Louis and Marcella; Christa and Billy Moody; David and Cheyenne  Villari

- Marian Bouchard and sons Wyatt and Ethan Thompson, of VT.

- Peter and Hiromi Bouchard and Karen and Henri of MA.

In 2007 after 61 years of marriage, the love of her life Wallace passed away.  She was predeceased by her brothers Ellery and Don, and is survived by a sister-in-law Esther Boucher, and many wonderful nephews and nieces.

She knew the value of hard work but always enjoyed her labors and encouraged others to do the same.  "If you don't move you die!" She was extremely hard-working, smart, clever, creative, funny and kind to the end.  She loved her family, (especially those grandchildren), the outdoors, her garden, fiddle-heading, any kind of needlework, music, baking and anytime she could play in the snow, (shoveling was considered 'play')!  She appreciated all the kindness, attention and support bestowed by the extended family and community.  Hours before her death, she spoke of how lucky she was to have lived in Fort Kent, to have had the family she had and to have all the wonderful people that supported her in her life.  "When everything fails, turn up the music and dance….with your pet!"

A funeral mass will be performed at St. Louis Parish, Fort Kent Maine on October 1, 2021 @ 10AM.  In lieu of flowers, please make a financial contribution to the St. Louis Parish, 26 East Main Street,  Fort Kent Maine, 04743. At the request of the family, please wear a mask. Thank you.