Grand Isle — Rose Marie Gendreau, 86, peacefully entered into rest December 27, 2024, at Ridgewood Estates. She was born June 24, 1938, in St. Agatha, the youngest daughter of the late Donat and Cecile (Caron) Picard.

Rose worked as a janitress for Twin Rivers (then Fraser Papers) for nearly two decades. She also worked at various restaurants and diners throughout the area for much of her adult life to help support her family.

Like her late husband, family was central to Rose. She was always looking for ways to help improve her family's wellbeing whenever possible. Even after losing her eyesight many years ago, she still managed to help any way she could — even if it meant volunteering her beloved, Roli! She especially loved Christmas gatherings — her favorite holiday. She was a gardening enthusiast and adored her many ferns and geraniums.

Rose provided her entire family with a blessed life of unconditional love and honesty (at times bordering on downright bluntness, which is what we so loved about her). Her inspiration, faith, steadfastness and, in particular, her sense of humor and laughter, will continue to support them in the years to come.

She and her late husband lovingly raised three children, Debbie, Cathy and Scott. Their extended family now includes Debbie's husband, Rob Sifuentes and their son, Ryan, of Kennebunkport; Cathy's partner Jeff Chasse, Cathy's daughter, Thara and Thara's daughters, Arianna, Janelle and Summer, all of Madawaska; and Scott's wife, Gisele, their daughter Micaela and her fiancé Jordan Treadwell, of Brewer, and their son, Brandon and his wife Emily and son, Jack, of Norway. Rose also is survived by two sisters, Jean Sirois of Manchester, Conn., and Robertine (Bobbie) and her husband, Roland (Tarzan) Thibeault of Edmundston. She also leaves her loving and loyal friend, Jeanne Chamberland of St. Agatha.

Besides her parents, Rose was predeceased by her loving husband, Roland (Roli), and her siblings, Gilmay Marquis and Berthier Picard.

The family is incredibly grateful to the hard-working teams of Crosswinds and Ridgewood Estates for the loving care and comfort provided to Rose to ensure her time at each location was as enjoyable and as loving as possible.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2025, at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Main St., Grand Isle. Relatives and friends may greet the family Friday morning 9 – 9:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family welcomes donations to the Alzheimer's Society or Mizpah as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers.