Obituary of Madeleine Halle

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Madeleine R. (Charbonneau) Halle on Friday, November 23, 2012, wife of the late Paul Emile Halle. Born on October 4, 1927 in Notre Dame des Bois, Quebec, Canada, she was the daughter of Alexis and Valeda (Turcotte) Charbonneau. After her graduation from college, Madeleline became a school teacher and for 4 years she tended to her elementary students in a one-room schoolhouse in the town where she grew up. She soon met the love of her life, and they married on August 24, 1949. They started their lives together in a tiny, uninsulated logging camp in Maine's magnificent north woods. They eventually built their first home in Rumford, Maine, where they started their family with 7 beautiful babies. Several years later, their entrepreneurial spirit led them to take a tremendous leap of faith when they decided to sell their house and invest in a small neighborhood grocery store in Sherbrooke, Quebec. It was here that the last of their children, twin daughters, were born. In 1964, they moved their family of 9 children to East Hartford, CT where Paul and Madeleine devoted their lives to providing the best opportunities they could for their large family. They inspired their children with a very strong work ethic, and the importance of family values. Madeleine was an exemplary mother whose strength and determination will live on in the hearts of all her children. As her children grew, Madeleine embarked on yet another career working and eventually retiring from Aetna Insurance. Madeleine's favorite memories were of family vacations to their homestead in Notre Dame, of winters spent snowmobiling, laughing and snuggling around the warmth of woodstove toast and hot chocolate; and the joys of endless sunny summer hours fishing her favorite trout streams, playing tennis, biking and swimming with her children. After Paul's passing Madeleine would continue to summer there for several years, visiting with many wonderful relatives, and life-long friends. Madeleine valiantly faced and defeated breast cancer, and was a 25 year survivor. Although in the last days, dementia stole her memories, it wasn't able to contain her spirit of joy and presence during a time that new memories were unfolding for her loving children. And so our story ends, for now...Que sera, sera. Mado is much loved and respected by her children, their spouses, and all of her grandchildren, and is survived by her three sons: Michael (Donna) Halle of St. Augustine, Florida; Raymond (Joanne) Halle of Ellington; Yvon (Frank) Halle of Mexico and six daughters, Denise (Frank) Haas of West Hartford; Susan (Courtney) LaRue of Fair Haven, VT; Liz (Martial) La Roche of Marlborough; Therese (Dan) Anderson of Redmond, Oregon; Martine (AJ) Fusco of South Glastonbury and Celine (Steve) Pisch of Brewster, Massachusetts. She loved spending time with the 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren she leaves behind: Eddy, Raymond, Scott, Kerry, Nikki, Leah, Melissa, Paul ,AJ, Abigail, Ryan, Katelyn and great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Ellie, Brady and Joanna. She was predeceased by her grandsons Michael, Jr. and Paul Phillip. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff of St. Mary's Home and to mom's special angel, Monica. Friends and relatives may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury TODAY from 4-6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher's Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford on Monday (November 26) at 10:00 a.m.. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Mary's Home, Alzheimer's Unit, West 1, Care Of Eileen Cleary, 2021 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. To share a memory please visit www.mulryanfh.com.