Lucille Caouette turns 99

Lucille Caouette

Lucille Caouette’s birthday is usually celebrated each year with a large family gathering lasting the day with meals and social time.

It should be noted that her family consists of 10 children, 20 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, and two great-great -grandchildren, and is still growing with two new babies expected soon.

This year, her 99th birthday, the festivities were canceled due to the coronavirus stay-at-home order. In place of the usual family party a (DRIVE BY) was planned, with family members only, but soon grew to decorating mémère’s porch with her favorite party theme, Flamingos.

These flamingo’s came to be as a way for her grandchildren to cheer mémère up during one of her hospital stays, and has since taken hold as a part of all the celebrations.

As the date of the drive-by approached, the number of participants grew from just family members to include friends and public service individuals. On Saturday, April 25, the drive-by was led by two Winslow Police cruisers, the Winslow Fire Departments ladder truck and rescue unit, and was bracketed by a fire truck from the China Village Fire Department. After the initial procession was completed, the individuals took the time to drive up to mémère’s porch and wish her a happy birthday.

Lucille enjoyed her lobster meal and gifts with no knowledge of what was about to happen. With sirens and lights the procession approached, mémère was overwhelmed shedding tears of joy and a big smile as they drove by.

Everyone is looking forward to next years 100th celebration with the hope that all can be close together again.