July 31, 2008

New Almaden mourns Sarah Boudrault

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Sarah Boudrault, who lived in Almaden for 40 years, passed away from complications due to cancer at her home last Tuesday, July 22, surrounded by her husband and children.

Sarah Boudrault and her husband, Art, in 2007.

She was a very courageous woman, who told doctors that she wanted to go home when she realized that further treatment would not cure the cancer. “I have lived a great life,” she told doctors and her husband.

Boudrault was born in Lodi, N.J. on March 22, 1933. A graduate of the New Jersey College for Women (now Rutgers Univer-sity), she received a bachelor of science degree in home economics learning skills she would practice for the rest of her life. An amazing cook, “she was always involved with food for New Almaden Quicksilver Park Association meetings and celebrations,” said her husband Art Boudrault, current president of the Almaden Valley Community Association.

In addition, she received an AA degree from San Jose City College in marketing, and worked for the Almaden Country Club after raising her children. She was part of the San Jose Area Home Economists for 38 years and was affiliated with the national home economics group before that. She served as the group’s vice president and secretary as well as several other jobs including calling people for meetings.

Sarah Boudrault, center, whose daughter called her a “professional grandmother,” appears here with her eight grandchildren, from the left, Evan Howard, Erin Howard, Tyler Floyd, Kate Howard, Sarah Boudrault Jack Kisling, Harlan Howard, Jamie Floyd and Christian Kisling. Photo courtesy of Art Boudrault, taken by son-in-law Bradley Zeve.

“She was a faithful member of the group,” said Ada Loewer. The group meets once per month for a program dealing with the various aspects of being a homemaker including banking and money management, food, fashion and volunteerism. “She came even when she was not feeling well. She was soft spoken and always interested in everything,” Loewer added.

In addition, Boudrault spent 30 years as an Al Anon volunteer “helping many women understand the reality of alcoholism,” said Art Boudrault.

But her favorite activities were cooking and taking care of her children and grandchildren, he added. Each of her four children, Jackie, Jeanne, John and Joanne had their children sequentially, allowing her to spend separate time getting to know all of her eight grandchildren. In order of age they are, Kate Howard; Tyler and Jamie Floyd; Erin, Evan and Harland Howard; and Christian and Jack Kisling.

Sarah and Art Boudrault in 2005 on a trip to the Philippines. Sarah Boudrault died on July 22. There will be a celebration of her life, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at the New Almaden Community Club, 21727 Bertram Road, followed by a potluck lunch.

Both divorced, Art and Sarah met for coffee at Marie Cal-lendars in 1980 and courted for two years before they married. They celebrated their 26th anniversary on July 18 just a few days before her passing.

While she hadn’t traveled much before their marriage, the two spent a lot of their time traveling. They went to Sicily, where her parents were from, as well as many countries in the Pacific including the southern Philippines and Taiwan, to Quebec and Saskatoon in Canada and throughout the United States including Nashville, Minneapolis, New England and to the East Coast once or twice a year to visit Art’s five children and 12 grandchildren.

“Sarah loved cooking and taking care of the kids,” he said, “and her grandchildren loved her taking care of them.”

While one of her daughters called her a “professional grandmother,” she also took time to cook fantastic meals and spend time in her garden with her flowers and vegetables. She had a loving and compassionate nature and accepted everyone without judgment. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at the New Almaden Community Club, 21727 Bertram Road, followed by a potluck lunch. “Sarah asked me to bring the ham,” said Art, “and I will along with a lasagna she made that I found in the freezer that I will bring for everyone to enjoy.”