Marie M. St. Laurent

Marie M. St. Laurent (Guilmette) 93, of Pepperell, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026 peacefully in her sleep with her husband of 70 years by her side, after several years of declining health. While we are sad to say goodbye, we are grateful, that thanks to the amazing, unwavering care and commitment of her loving husband Bernie, she was able to stay comfortably in their own home throughout this difficult time.

Marie was born in Lawrence, MA on July 19, 1932 the youngest of five daughters of Dr. Eugene Guilmette and Anna Guilmette (Dufour). She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School.

She married her husband, CW4 (Ret.) Bernard C. St. Laurent on September 10, 1955 and together had eight children. His military service took them to several bases throughout the US in addition to two tours in Germany, and as with most military families she often found herself playing the role of both mother and father, when he was away on unaccompanied duty tours, but never complained once.

Before her health issues prevented it, Marie and Bernie were fortunate enough to enjoy many memorable trips both here and abroad, but her biggest joy came from time spent with her family, whether it be just a dinner, or to celebrate a birthday or holiday. They were always willing to hop in a car or on a plane to attend and celebrate someone’s milestone event whether it be something big or small, and she took tremendous pride in all her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Mom was a voracious reader. If you did not find her down in the family room with a book in hand, you could find her and Dad, most evenings after dinner, at the kitchen table, enjoying crossword puzzles, or challenging each other to a game of scrabble or dominoes, at which she was a formidable opponent.

She was an accomplished seamstress making many of the children’s clothes and fun Halloween costumes, as well as an excellent cook, something we all missed when she lost her ability to continue, even though she often insisted she could make us something. She was also known for her many crafts, and lovingly passed all these talents on to her children. She taught CCD in Germany and in Pepperell. When the kids were all grown, she was an office assistant for Dr. Elizabeth Lewis in Groton for several years. She also volunteered cooking meals at the Senior Center in Pepperell.

She was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. Joseph’s parish Pepperell, MA for many years. She had a beautiful voice and was member of the Choir. She helped prepare many Seder dinners, in addition to making crafts for the Christmas bazaars, and was responsible for establishing The Giving Tree.

Besides her husband she is survived by three sons and four daughters and their spouses:

Julie and Mark Cole of Orange, MA; Mark St. Laurent and John Olivari of Fitchburg, MA; Beth and Howard Leadbetter of Fitchburg, MA; Ellen and Brian Abrams of Ware, MA; CMSgt (Ret.) Matthew and Simone St. Laurent of West Haven, UT; Paula St. Laurent-Kuehl and Brian Kuehl of Ashburnham, MA; and COL Jeremy and Erin St. Laurent of Stuttgart, Germany; twelve grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by their infant son John and her four sisters, Rita DeMuth, Irene Guilmette, Marceline McCormick, and Therese LeGendre.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace worshiping at St. Joseph's Church, 28 Tarbell St. Pepperell MA on Friday, April, 17, 2026 at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Fort Devens Post Cemetery, 52 Patton Rd. Devens, MA. There will be no calling hours. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Rd. Lincoln MA, 01773 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the McGaffigan Family.