Lucille Bricault

Lucille Bricault, July 2, 1921 - December 24, 2020

Lucille Parent St. Amand Bricault, 99 years young, passed peacefully from this earth on Thursday, December 24, 2020. The timing of her death is not lost on her large extended family, as they knew and cherished the gift of love and light that she was. 

Born in Van Buren, Maine on July 2, 1921 to Simeon and Mina Parent, she was the third of four children. She completed the eighth grade in local schools before working full time picking potatoes on the family farm. In 1942, at the age of 20, she met and married Martin St. Amand. Just weeks after returning to Hartford, CT, from their honeymoon in Maine, Martin became ill and passed away. Shortly after his passing Lucille discovered she was expecting. Their daughter Martine was born the following spring. 

Lucille lived in Hartford, CT with her parents, making parts in the Veeder-Root Factory during the war. Three years later, in 1946, she married Roland Bricault. They moved to their farm in Marlborough, CT, where they would spend many happy, musical years by the Blackledge River. Their marriage brought five more children, Lorraine, Sandra, Clayton, Roland Jr., and Louanne. All but Clayton grew to adulthood. 

Roland Sr. passed away in 1968, leaving Lucille with three young children at home and a growing family, as her two older daughters married and started families of their own. She continued to work at factories in Willimantic, and waitressing at various breakfast shops. She saved her waitressing tips in metal garbage cans in her garage until she had enough to buy a car. After selling the farm she lived briefly in Westchester and eventually settled at Stonecroft, in Hebron, CT, where she resided for more than 25 years. 

Lucille was an avid reader, enjoying both bible stories and romance novels. She enjoyed bingo games and especially the penny slot machines at the local casinos with her girlfriends Marilyn and Cecile. A competitive card player, there was not a child, grandchild, or great grandchild who hadn’t lost a card game to her, and enjoyed doing so. Especially memorable were the annual May vacations to Maine with her children and their spouses, where the card games and dice games involved costumes and losing small amounts of cash to Lucille. She loved to win at the games but hated to take the money from her children. 

After breaking one hip at age 94 and a second hip at 97, she recovered at the Marlborough Health and Rehabilitation Center, spending the last few years of her life in their care, and getting to know all of the staff there, including their children and partners. She caught and recovered from Covid this year, a testament to her strength and resilience. The family is most grateful to all the staff at Marlborough Health and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care she received. 

There was not a person she met that she failed to show love and kindness to, always curious about their lives and loves. She had a lively mind and an amazing memory, until just a few days before her passing, reminding us of birthdays, anniversaries, and planning children’s parties. She was a brilliant light in our ordinary lives, her love making all things possible. She endured hardships and heartaches that would break the spirit of any human being yet she never let it defeat her for the sake of her family. She was a giving and loving person, she was our rock. 

She leaves many to celebrate her life and continue her legacy of love, including her daughter Martine and husband Del Bernais of Hebron, CT, her daughter, Lorraine Nelson of Hebron, CT, her son, Roland Bricault and his wife Renee of Andover, CT her daughter, Louanne and her husband Bruce Romaneck of Limerick, ME, brothers-in-law Richard Bricault and John Lenfest, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends, especially her former neighbor, Claude, who came to be like her second son. 

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Cliff, Arthur and Gerard, and their wives; her husbands Martin St. Amand and Roland Bricault; her son Clayton, daughter Sandy Church, son-in-law Richard Nelson, grandsons Brendan Romaneck and David Nelson, granddaughter Julie Nelson; and many relatives and dear friends. 

In honor of her passing, her family asks that you show love, interest and compassion for the lives of others, give special patience to people whose English is not so good, and kindness to all. A celebration of her life and legacy of love will take place on the Anniversary of her 100th birthday in July 2021. In the meantime, remember, Mémé loves you big world. 

The Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester has been entrusted with care of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.