Evelyn Benoit Obituary, Death – Evelyn (Guenette) Benoit died on November 7th, accompanied by her family, who wish to express their heartfelt appreciation to everyone at Life Care Center of Leominster for the love and care they provided Evelyn over the last three years of her life. Evelyn Jeanne Guenette was born on September 20, 1941, in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Iva (Smith) and Alphonse Guenette. Edward’s younger sister. Evelyn grew raised on Cottage Street and graduated from Leominster High School in 1959. Evelyn had been educated to believe that the only thing that mattered about a person was whether or not they had a decent heart, and she set out to treat everyone she met in the same manner.
When she was a high school student and cheerleader, she met and fell in love with Donald Benoit, a basketball star from a rival school. Evelyn married Don in October 1960. They were married for 27 years, had five children, and resided in Luneburg for 27 years. A close friend dubbed her “the gorgeous Evelyn,” and she was adored by everyone who knew her. Throughout her life, she touched many hearts, held many hands, and helped countless people.
Evelyn was a gifted artist who specialized in floral and interior design. Her passion for painting remained unwavering throughout her life. She enjoyed shopping and going on expeditions with her friend Margaret in search of inexpensive treasures that might be transformed into rich visual experiences. Her gift-wrapping abilities were legendary. Any present wrapped by Evelyn was one that the recipient was hesitant to open simply because the wrapped object was so lovely. Evelyn, a Fitchburg Art Museum member and volunteer, designed stunning flower arrangements for a variety of occasions, including the annual Art in Bloom.
Evelyn collaborated with her longtime friend Fred Reynolds as a Floral Designer. They collaborated to produce stunning floral arrangements for a number of events. Evelyn co-owned Décor and More in Lunenburg with her daughter Lyn later in life. She treasured the occasion. Her home was generally well-decorated. Friends and family were fascinated by her method of putting things together. Evelyn couldn’t help but create a new experience every year, especially around the holidays, when everyone else put out the same decorations year after year, always adding the family’s regular treasures. Her home was a popular destination on the Lunenburg Holiday House Tours for many years.
Evelyn has five children and many of their friends regard her as a second mother. Since 7th grade, Rita Siciliano’s best buddy. A much-loved sister-in-law and aunt to several nieces and nephews. Her favorite role, though, was that of a grandma. “You don’t realize how much you can love someone until you become a mother, but it’s beyond words when you become a grandma,” she regularly said. Mom’s grandchildren enjoyed making crafts with her, reading, singing funny songs, and watching and learning about birds.
They cherish their recollections of her Christmas custom of making gingerbread houses (and trains). She adored her grandchildren more than “a bushel and a peck,” and they adored her more than “a barrel and a heap.” Don, Sharon, Julie, Lyn, and Stephen, as well as their families, Lisa, Dylan, Cameron, Adam and Alissa, Les, Taylor, Connor, and Rylee, Greg, Betame, Tesfanesh, and Soleil, Bo, Tyler, Hunter, and Parker, Maggie, and Luke, invite those Evelyn loved, and who loved her, to a memorial service at the Fitchburg Art Museum on December 19th at 12pm.
