64-Year Windham Resident Lived by Faith

Lucette Brien Alix, 90, a longtime resident of Windham, N.H., received her promotion from her earthly home to Heaven on Sunday, January 12, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Lucette was born in Ste. Hyacinthe, Canada, on February 9, 1923. She was the daughter of Yvonne Lavallee and Alfred P. Brien.

Lucette grew up in Lawrence, Mass., and attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, where she received two double promotions. She attended high school at the Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, N.H., and graduated at the age of 16. She then went on with full scholarship to Rivier College in Nashua, N.H., where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. Her education continued, again with a full scholarship to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where she received her master’s degree in philosophy with a minor in theology. She met her future husband, Ernest Alix, in Washington D.C. while attending C.U.A., and during Ernest’s service in the U.S. Army. They married on August 24, 1947.

Lucette and Ernest made their first home in Spencer, Mass., then moved to Windham in 1949, where they raised 13 children. Lucette had a joyful soul and was an exemplary role model of servanthood, unconditional and unselfish love, and faith in God. Her smile was loving and heartwarming. Lucette’s home always had an open door and a hardy gracious welcome to any and all who entered. Though her family was large, she always made sure there was enough to go around, as she extended hospitality to others, be they friends, family, neighbors, or strangers. Her home was always filled with laughter, music, delicious food, the best homemade chocolate chip cookies around, and much joy and love. Above all, Lucette loved God. Her faith was the very foundation of her wonderful hospitality and warm, generous spirit.

Lucette was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Ernest A. Alix; and by her brothers, Stephen, Lucien, Gerard, Raymond, Alphonse, and Marcel; and by her sisters, Claire, Florence and Therese. She leaves behind the beautiful legacy she and Ernest began with their children, Ernest J. Alix and his wife, Joyce, of Derry, N.H., Alfred J. Alix and his wife, Moira, of Windham, Rosemarie Rinaldo and her husband, David, of Eloy, Ariz., AnneMarie Campbell-St. Jean and her husband, Gerry, of Goffstown, N.H.,Theresa Paradis and her husband, Glenn, of Londonderry, N.H., Joseph Alix of Windham, Francis Alix and his wife, Stephanie, of Rye, N.H., Albert Alix and his wife, Jackie, of Fremont, N.H., Mary Dahlberg and her husband, Michael, of Weare, N.H., Margaret Stuart and her husband, Stephen, of Derry, Paul Alix and his wife, Marcia, of Londonderry, N.H., Catherine St. Ledger and her husband, Patrick, of Derry, Joyce McDonald and her husband, John, of Hampton, N.H.; along with 41 grandchildren, 10 of whom are married; and 18 great-grandchildren. Lucette is also survived by her brothers, Arthur Brien of Lawrence, Albert Brien of Kingston, N.H., and Sidney Brien of Cambridge, Mass.; and by her sisters, Agnes Bardwell of Methuen, Mass., and Doris Amaya of Miami, Fla.; along with many nieces and nephews.

At Lucette’s request, there will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 17, at 1 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Church, 2 Searles Rd., Windham. Burial will be at the Cemetery on the Plains, Windham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to NH Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St., Manchester, NH 03104, or www.nh-cc.org. Arrangements by The Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main St., Salem, N.H. To send a condolence, please visit, www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/GoundreyDewhirstFuneralHome.