Pauline 'Heidt' Villeneuve Obituary (1926

Pauline Heidt Villeneuve, 89, of Tupper Lake passed away on Friday January 8, 2016 at Mercy Living Center where she had resided for the past 2 years. Born June 3, 1926 in Malone she was the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Martin) Heidt. She attended school at St. Joseph's Academy and then continued her education and graduated with a nursing degree from Hepburn in Ogdensburg. Upon graduating, she worked at Alice Hyde Hospital in Malone. In 1948, she and a group of fellow nurses came to Tupper Lake to work at Sunmount VA Hospital. It was there she met her future husband Maurice Villeneuve. She and Moe had continued to work at Sunmount until it closed as a Veteran's Hospital- at that time, they relocated to Mahopac, NY until their retirement years. She and Moe made their home here and were both very active as volunteers and members of various organizations, particularly the Lions Club. They enjoyed traveling, snowmobiling on the frozen lake where they had their home., with many friends. In later years, they spent their winters in Florida. Moe pre-deceased her in 1995. Pauline was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. She worked for a time at Helen Macro's fabric shop and was a charter founding member of the Racquette River Quilters. She and the Quilters worked tirelessly at making quilts for fund raisers and hosted the popular and exceptional Quilt Show at the Library. Pauline continued to quilt with her friends up until a few years ago. Pauline was also an excellent gourmet chef and many enjoyed her hospitality. In her younger years, she worked for a time as a chef at homes across the lake. She once prepared a dinner for the former President Nixon and everything was done with passion and dedication. She also repaired old chairs and guide boat seats by caning new seats and created Christmas wreaths for her friends from foliage gathered in the woods. Pauline was an avid reader, loved music and plays, and made several trips abroad with her friends. Among her many volunteer services, she coordinated drivers to Plattsburgh for patients receiving cancer treatments, was active with the Cancer Society on daffodil day, worked with the local Hospice, she was a wheels on meals driver, volunteered at the Wild Center and worked at the annual woodsmen's field days. In recognition of all her work, she received an award for Volunteer Service of the Year from the Masonic Organization. Pauline was a communicate of St. Alphonsus Church. The Church was the recipient of her seamstress skills whenever altar cloths where needed to be fabricated or if there was need of repair. Pauline is survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be announced in the Spring. Arrangements are with the Stuart-Fortune-Keough funeral home. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.