Marie Lorette (Poirier) Fedden

Born in Gaspe, Quebec to Letitia Arsenault and Arsene Poirier on March 1, 1917.  A descendant of Levi Poirier, one of the first French families who came through Nova Scotia and were dispersed along the east coast of North America by the British (immortalized by Longfellow in his poem “Evangeline”).

Granny was a young woman when she came to the US as a governess to children on Long Island. As the second oldest in a family of 15 plus and no jobs for the Catholic-French speaking people, it was a problem.   Another Acadian woman and her musician husband were visiting family in Gaspe resulting in the Duffy’s invitation to return with them to Oceanside, New York, and be their children’s French speaking governess. 

It was there she met George Fedden, an American on a blind date.  They were married 61 years and had 5 children (Geraldine Buck, Jacqueline O’Malley-Satz, Michelle Van Wickler (Richard), George Fedden (Kathi Fedden), and Suzanne Randazzese (Robert Dyer), 12 grandchildren and 17 great- grandchildren. 

She was a remarkable woman.  She went to night school to study the new language and American Civics to become an American Citizen.  She raised her children with her husband to be hard working, creative individuals that kept ‘family’ as the heart of each of their goals in life. 

After working until she was 80 as a ‘party’ waitress at the Garden City Hotel and the Plattduetshe in Franklin Square.  Then she and George sold their home in Uniondale after 50 + years and moved to a condominium to enjoy their retirement.  When George passed away Granny moved into her own home in Newburgh. For 15 years, she enjoyed the company of many seniors by playing cards and making crafts and attending all sorts of social events with the Golden Age Club along with numerous family events.  At 98 she gave up her car and license to return to Long Island and live with family and then moved to her own home. 

The family would like to express our gratitude for the many kindnesses the staff at Maple Pointe Assisted Living in Rockville Centre has extended to ‘Granny’.

They helped her maintain her zest for exercise, eating her burnt toast with several cups of coffee and a daily and weekly routine that could always be adjusted to maintain an open calendar for anything having to do with the family. But, mostly we thank them for their hugs and smiles as she traveled this last mile. 

She is known and loved for a gracious attitude even as she progressed till her body wasn’t able to sustain her anymore. We believe her final words were:  “I thank you!”

Hartnett Funeral will make the arrangements. There will be no viewing as per Granny’s wishes. 

At 12pm on July 12, 2016 a mass will be celebrated at St. Martha’s Church, 546 Greengrove Ave., Uniondale, NY to be followed by lunch and an afternoon of cards and Rumi-cube (Granny’s favorites).

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the FRESH AIR FUND in her honor.  1800 367 0003.

Acknowledgement address to: O’Malley-Satz 278 Greeves Road, New Hampton NY 10958.

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