Jeannine Christian (Pigouchet) Mongeon passed away at home on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, with grace, surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Paris, France, on Dec. 2, 1927, to the late Monsieur Marcel Bonneau and Madame Marie Louise Pigouchet, she was the fourth child of five (Louie, Gui, Elizabeth, and Serge).

Jeannine was ever calm and serene in her Catholic faith. From her childhood forward, she had a special place in her heart for Saint Therese and the Blessed Mary. 

In Paris, she met the love of her life, Leonard Alphonse Mongeon, while walking with her mother, and eight months later traveled on the Queen Elizabeth to be wed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winooski, Vt. Mom gave birth to her first son, Leonard Mongeon Jr., in Burlington, Vt

While stationed overseas, she gave birth to Gerald, Christine and Michael in Casablanca, Morocco. In Terrahan, Iran, Paul was born. After that, they traveled back to the states and the last of their three children, Claude, Monique and Alain, were born in Burlington, Vt. She relished being a mother. Her children can attest to the fact that she had the “patience of a saint” and never lost her temper with them or even raised her voice. Always supportive and encouraging, always wise and kind, she was proud of all of them. 

Mom and Dad shared their love for travel. There were many trips back to her home in France, and she accompanied her beloved husband on many fishing excursions to Alaska. She enjoyed fly-fishing for salmon in the Keni Peninsula with him.

Mom had many hobbies. She loved cooking meals for friends and family, she found comfort singing in the choir, and making stained glass, but most of all she loved playing bocce. She was a fierce competitor and team captain of the Barefoot Bay Bocce League. 

She loved taking care of her husband and children, always sacrificing her needs for the good of her family. Jeannine will be remembered as a selfless, loving Memere, altruistic wife and mother who always had a smile, even when times were tough. With a quiet strength, she never complained and always looked to a better future. 

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Leonard Alphonse Mongeon. Also, their six sons and two daughters: Leonard Mongeon Jr. of Hinnesburg Vt., Gerald Mongeon, wife Linda of Westfield, Mass, Michael Mongeon, wife Marybeth of Barrington RI, Paul Mongeon, wife Cindy of Milton VT, Claude Mongeon,wife Jill of North Kingston, Alain Mongeon, wife Hilary of Warwick, Christine Granfield, husband Kerry of Southwick, Mass., Monique Mongeon Latessa, husband Brian of Bristol; her 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Preceded in death by her parents, Marcel Bonneau, Marie Louise Pigouchet; two brothers, Louie Pigouchet and his wife Alice, Gui Pigouchet, and one sister Elizabeth Bonneau; her daughter-in-law Theresa Gallo Mongeon, and grandson Tyler James Granfield. 

A Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Winooski, Vt. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery. Jeannine Mongeon had a love for St. Jude’s. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Jeannine Christian (Pigouchet) Mongeon’s name. www.limafh.com