Florence Irene Bouchard

South Portland – Florence Irene (Roy) Bouchard passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. She was born on August 15, 1934, in Frenchville, daughter of the late Alfred and Antoinette (Daigle) Roy.

She spent her childhood growing up on a farm, where the family grew potatoes and had chickens, cows, and barn kittens. Being the seventh child of 17, Florence learned the importance of hard-work, family, and having fun. She often shared her favorite memories of picking potatoes, washing dishes, picking strawberries in the back field, and listening to her father play music while dancing in the large farmhouse kitchen. The motto she shared often when raising her own children was “when there is a will there is a way”.

Her passion for teaching started while watching her mom teach. She went on to attend Madawaska Training School in Fort Kent, Maine and after graduation began to teach elementary school in Limestone, Maine. After meeting her husband Philip Benoit Bouchard, she returned to college and earned her Education degree at the University of Maine, Orono in 1960.

Florence married Philip Benoit Bouchard on September 5, 1959, at St Luce Church in Frenchville. They honeymooned at Castle Island Camps in Belgrade. Over the next 10 years, the pair lived in a variety of locations, including Rochester NY, Van Buren, Flushing NY, Commack, Long Island NY, before settling in Scarborough, with their three daughters Catherine, Susan, and Peggy. Florence’s love for education continued in Scarborough, as she taught her children and grandkids how to read and write before they started school.

Though Florence never officially had her own classroom again after her marriage, she was well known in the Scarborough school system as a substitute teacher especially for kindergarten through 3rd grade. When Mrs. Bouchard was your substitute teacher, you knew it was not a goof off day! Florence was called on as a substitute well into her seventies. She appeared young, full of enthusiasm, and expressed a desire for each youngster to understand that they were capable of learning. She also spent many years as a Girl Scout Leader and teaching religion to children (including her grandkids) at St Maximilian Kolbe church in Scarborough.

Florence enjoyed her neighborhood life before coming to the nursing home. Her neighborhood friends valued her ability to make things grow in the yard. After her husband, Philip, passed away in 1990, Florence could be found on ladders trimming tree limbs, mowing the lawn, snowplowing the driveway, and painting the house. Her determination and discipline ensured that she found a way to keep things looking fresh and orderly.

Florence was also an active member of her church. She sang in the choirs of both St. John the Evangelist and St. Bartholomew’s until 2018. Florence had a circle of friends who helped her keep active until her last stroke, including those with whom she bowled and ate lunch!

Florence was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Philip Bouchard; brothers, Lawrence, Guilford, Gilman, Reynold, Gilbert, Carroll, and his twin Caroline; twin sister, Helen, and sisters, Aurore Rioux, and Dorothy St. Germain. She is survived by three daughters, Cathy Dekubber and her husband Stephen, Susan Suchecki and her husband Karl, and Peggy Bouchard; six grandchildren, Jessica, Neil, Jacob, Nicholas, Benjamin, Noah; six great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Carter, Ella, Cole, Philip and Mya; three brothers, Freddie, Bert, Joe; and three sisters, Joan Roy, Gladys Ilardo, and Jackie Buccola. All will miss her dearly.

We are thankful for the care received at Falmouth by the Sea/Prince Point. We are thankful for the guidance and care received through Compassus Hospice of Scarborough. Most of all, we would like to thank all the personnel at Pinnacle Health and Rehab in South Portland who cared for mom like family through the last nine months of her life.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-7pm on November 13, 2024, at Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on November 14, 2024, at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 8 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Florence’s memory to Scarborough Public Library, https://www.scarboroughlibrary.org/donate