Yvette Doris (Gagnon) Gravel

Southbridge - Yvette Doris Gagnon Gravel, died June 1, 2023, at UMass Memorial Medical Center/University Campus.

She was born in Southbridge, November 8, 1938, daughter of the late Doris (Mercier) and Romeo Gagnon.

Yvette was the beloved wife of the late Harold G Gravel which she wed in 1986 after their paths re-crossed. Due to their mutual love of horses, Yvette and Harold spent time together decades before. Yvette would accompany Harold while he was employed as a Master Equestrian training horses and overseeing their care. The affection Harold and Yvette carried for each other, remained intact until they were joined in marriage. Harold and Yvette were the guideposts for all who knew them, demonstrating unconditional love and respect. Their marriage flourished among a mutual devotion to their Catholic Faith, never spending a single night spent apart until his passing in 2004. Yvette and Harold's devotion to the Holy Rosary was the foundation of their daily life together.

She leaves her brother Russel R. Gagnon and his children Sarah and Abigail. She was the loving mother of the late Mark Luis Salce, wife Susan and their children Christopher and Shawna, Michael Romeo Salce, wife Debbie, and their children Nicki, and Angela, Matthew Oswald Salce, wife Missy, and their children Kyle, and Ryan, Anthony Carmine Salce, children Lesli and Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Joan Salce Duhaime, her husband Robert, and their children Austin and Audrey Yvette, who was given her middle name in her Grandmother's honor.

Additionally, she deeply loved her stepchildren; Dennis Gravel, Linda Brodeur, Sharon Albani, Paul Gravel, and Steven Gravel.

After raising her five children. Yvette began working as the Guest Service Director for the Sheraton in Sturbridge, creating Commerce with local businesses and originating a direct tourism platform for the Town of Sturbridge.

From her establishment in the Town of Sturbridge, Yvette opened and operated her self-named store, Eve's Health Food. Yvette, through her education, helped many people circumvent health challenges through nutrition.

After Yvette's partial retirement, she enjoyed many years employed at Saint Anne Shrine in Sturbridge. Filling the role of Eucharistic Minister and directing the gift store operations. Yvette's incredible magnetic personality and unwavering Catholic faith drew interest from all over the world to visit St. Anne Shrine.

In addition, Yvette coordinated a Pilgrimage to the Feast of Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in observance of Mercy Sunday

occurring the Sunday after Easter. Due to her efforts, 10,000 people attended this event and joined in prayer. With Yvette's Philanthropic partnership with World Vision, she sponsored dozens of children into their adulthood to reach their full educational potential, many of which achieved careers in medicine serving their communities overseas.

Yvette was unopposed in her ability to persevere in the face of all life's challenges. She taught her children to find life lessons from the opposition.

Yvette's last few words were her lifelong mantra of "COUNT IT ALL JOY"

Yvette’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11AM, June 8, 2023, at Notre Dame Church of St. John Paul II Parish, (please meet directly at the church) 446 Main Street, Southbridge, MA 01550.  There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Worldvision.org in her name.  Sansoucy Funeral Home is directing the arrangements.

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