Beatrice Eileen Gagne

Beatrice Eileen Gagne, 96 years old, of Orlando, Florida, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Palm Garden Nursing Home in Orlando after many years of dementia. Bea was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on June 14, 1920, the daughter of Frederick and Emma (Niles) Sontag. Her husband, Arthur Theophile (Ted) Gagne, also born in Fitchburg, died in 1989 in Gardner, MA. She leaves her children, son Rev. Deacon Gerald A. Gagne and his wife Martha of Jasper, Indiana and son Ronald S. Gagne of Orlando, Florida; her sibling, Russell Sontag and his wife Gloria of Fitchburg, MA and her sister-in-law Martha Sontag of Valley Stream, New York; 4 Grandchildren, Brian Gagne and wife Jill of Greenwood, IN, Michelle Welp and husband Adam of New Albany, IN, Thomas J. Gagne and wife Christine of Longwood, FL; and Lisa A. Gagne of Orlando, FL; 8 Great-grandchildren, Grace Gagne, Evan Gagne, Ben Welp, Emma Welp, Christopher Camerer, Mark Gagne, Austin Worrell & Chase Worrell, and 1 great-great-grandson, Matthew Camerer. Her brothers, Raymond Sontag and his wife Louise, Wallace Sontag and his wife Arlene, Frederick Sontag, her sister Agnes Sontag, and Bea’s daughter-in-law Norma Gagne predeceased her. Beatrice graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1938. She then worked in the office at Aubuchon Hardware before marrying Ted and moving to Gardner. Besides raising her 2 sons, she also volunteered for a few years in the office at Sacred Heart School and then for many years at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop. She was also the first Camp Director for Project Contact’s summer camp at Bonnie Brae Day Camp from 1968-1974. She received the Margaret F. Foley Award from the Worcester Diocese Catholic Charities in October of 1977. She was also a member of the Emblem Club in Gardner. While in Gardner from 1945-1990 she was an active member of Sacred Heart Church. In 1990 she moved to Orlando where she was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. A funeral Mass on will be held Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 10:00am at Annunciation Parish, Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Following the Mass, she will be buried alongside her beloved husband at St. John’s Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 9-10 AM in Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-9905. Lamoureaux-Fletcher Funeral Home, 105 Central Street, Gardner, is directing arrangements. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.