CECILE GETTENS

Cecile Laura (Rouleau) Gettens, Sept. 3,1928 – May 20, 2023

Beautiful Cecile Gettens lost her long-fought battle with Congestive Heart Failure early Saturday morning May 20th, 2023. At 94 years old, Ceil passed peacefully in her sleep attended by William Gettens, her dedicated spouse of almost 76 years. Bill and Ceil had recently begun respite from their Leominster home to the lovely retirement community of Summerhill in Peterborough, NH. Ceil spent the last of her days enjoying culinary cuisine, viewing the gardens and listening to music in her Memory Care condo. Born Sept. 3,1928, she lived a life filled with love growing up among 12 brothers and sisters in Fitchburg, MA. Cecile was the fourth daughter of Armand and Valeda (LaFortune) Rouleau. She engaged in a rich, full life as Patron of the Arts. From playing Baby Jesus in her first Immaculate Conception school play, modeling for Portraiture at Fitchburg Art Museum, to acting as the Ingenue at St. Leo's PTO plays, she remained active in her life-long community of Leominster MA.

She pursued night school with her friend Gin where they honed their glamour skills making hats, creating floral arrangements, designing clothes, hair & makeup, interior decorating, and French cooking! She was the Brownie and 4H leader for the neighborhood children. She worked hard to make sure her daughters were the best dressed, but she was really the girl with the ‘je ne sais quoi!’ Ceil was VP of the Leominster Hospital Guild and the Recreation Center in the 1960s. As an accomplished skier, she was Mount Wachusett's Courtesy Patrol Person.

Her favorite role was as a young bride and lifelong companion to Bill. Together they toured the World for business and pleasure. Winters were spent on Marco Island, FL and summers were loved on Spec. Pond and Winnipesaukee with family and friends. Cecile is survived by her 4 brothers, Robert, Lester, Richard, and David Rouleau, and Bill’s sister Janice Joralemon. She leaves behind the love of her life, William L. Gettens. She was a great mom to her 2 daughters, Christine Bell and Nancy Houlihan, Sons-in-law Albert Bell and William Houlihan. Her 5 grandchildren, Ryan Bell, Elizabeth (Bell) Triconi, Allison (Houlihan) Conway, Caitlin (Houlihan) Golino, Lauren (Houlihan) Weeder, Grands-in-law Candice B., Christopher T., Timothy C., Brian G., and Noah W., along with 10 great grandchildren Natalie T., Edward T., Ethan B., Eva B., Darcy C., Bryn C., Margaret G., Gemma G., Louise W. and Paulette W.

Her Funeral will be held on Thursday June 1,  with a Mass at 11:00 AM in St. Leo's Church ,108 Main St. Leominster.. Burial will follow in St. Leo's Cemetery..

Private Calling Hours were held for her husband and family 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leominster Public Library 30 West Street, Leominster, MA. 01453.

THE CURLEY MARCHAND FUNERAL HOME ASSISTED THE FAMILY WITH HER ARRANGEMENTS.

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