Over thirty years have passed since my Mom died. Lately, she has been in my thoughts as I ponder a sad part of her life. Estelle Anita Jodouin, the eighth child of Louis Joseph Jodouin and Louisa Seraphina Fortin, came into this world on January 22, 1909, in Sudbury, Ontario.
During Labour Day weekend of 1930, at the age of twenty-one, she married a young Finnish mining engineer, and they settled in the area. Over the next eleven years, they had five children. Aunts and cousins were always around to give a helping hand with caring for the children, and they were a tremendous support for Mom, as at the time, Dad was working shifts.
Mom and Dad on their Wedding Day
In 1945, Dad was offered a job in Asbestos, Quebec, a mining town in the rolling countryside of the Eastern Townships. It was a promotion for him. It meant he would no longer be working shifts, but, rather using his skill at designing a shaft for the development of underground mining. At that time, the company had been concentrating on open pit mining of asbestos, a fibre that does not burn and is used in firefighters’ gear, brake linings in cars and home insulation. It was a job for which Dad was well qualified.
It was a difficult move for Mom. She did not know a soul, and her family support system had vanished. She missed her parents, sisters and nieces. Deep down, I do believe she was heartbroken and had difficulty coping with the move, far from family.
In the summer of 1947, Granny, her mother, and Aunt Ted drove down to Asbestos for a visit. Mom was delighted to welcome them. Shortly after their visit, Mom was hospitalized in Montreal for an extended period. Dad visited her regularly and made arrangements for Mrs. Robinson, an elderly lady, to care for us. ( I never knew the reason for the hospitalization as I was 7 years old at the time, and I still do not know all these years later. Was the hospitalization a mental breakdown or perhaps the loss of a child?)
Uncle Leo, Aunt Dickie, Aunt Ted, Gran, Mom,
Paul, Claire,and Cousin Denise
In the summer of 1948, Mom drove my sister Ruth, brothers John and Paul, and me to Sudbury to visit family. On the way, we stopped in Pembroke and visited Mom’s spinster Aunts and continued to Sudbury. Mom had learned to drive at the age of fourteen and was undaunted when undertaking such a long drive. After seeing the scorched land and forests fires we arrived and greeted relatives with open arms and warm hugs. Mom had finally arrived home.
We spent time with Granny Jodouin, aunts, uncles and cousins which created many fond memories. Mom was happy.
On our way home, we stopped in Senneville and visited with Aunt Aline, one of Mom’s older sisters and Uncle George, an avid stamp collector, where I learned about stamp collecting. We then continued our way home.
Around this time, (1948-1949) I vividly remember Mom sitting at the typewriter in the solarium where Dad had a large desk with his CB (Citizen Band Radio). She would be typing letters to Gran and her sisters. At Christmas time she would be in the kitchen making fruitcake to send to family in Sudbury.
For a long time she hung on to her thoughts of home and the family members she had left in Sudbury, so far way.
Her life and our family’s lives were changed. In January of 1950, when at the age of forty-one, Mom gave birth to a little sister, Vicky, while at the same time, Dad received a big promotion. Life was taking on new challenges. These positive events were the beginning of a new outlook on life for Mom. Her loneliness was slowly disappearing. She now had new challenges.
Mom and Vicky
Vicky’s arrival was a blessing for all of us. At 10 years old I now had a real live doll to care for.
Mom had help when a young girl, Ghislaine, came into our lives. She developed a close bond with Vicky, and Mom’s overall health was much better. Her loneliness no longer seemed to trouble her. Her health improved and before long she was able to travel. She visited New York City and attended Broadway plays , enjoyed shopping at Berdorf-Goodman, along with company jaunts to the Carribbean .
Mom in 1963
Over the years she visited Africa, Europe, Japan and became a world traveller with Dad.
Mom’s life was filled with many ups and downs, but with Dad’s support she overcame her difficulties. Her life had taken on a new look, and her loneliness was a thing of the past. She enjoyed life to the fullest!
Mom and Dad on their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1980
Genealogy Ensemble 