Maria Rose Gouin was born March 7, 1935 in Dudley, Massachusetts on a farm. She lived there until her parents decided to move the family to Southbridge, Massachusetts. Her first job was at a Restaurant on Main Street and stayed after graduation from Notre Dame Catholic School.

She married Edward John Gouin on April 25, 1953.  She worked at the Embers Restaurant when her children were young. Then, she worked at Harrington Richardson Manufacturing and made guns when her children were in middle school and early high school.  She started work in the Westboro State Hospital after her children were in high school. She enjoyed her jobs at Westboro State Hospital. She started in the Kitchen and then progressed to the Laundry Department. After her time in these departments, she became the First Woman in Massachusetts to become a State Truck Driver. The Truck Driver position was delivery of furniture from rooms to the workers moving on to another state. She had lots of fun when the Hospital patients worked with her. She retired when she was 65. Her daughter, Alice Ann and then her husband, Al Hiersche, moved her to Florida in 2002. She bought her home in 2004 and has lived there ever since.

She enjoyed the work at the Fish Fry's at St. Rita's Catholic Church. She made the most delicious desserts out of the oddest items, like Bean Bread, from leftover baked beans of the prior week's Fish Fry. She made sugar free items for the diabetics. She was a great cook, baker, made lots of jelly and jams, and of course pickles. She really was a people person.  She belonged to the Planter's Club in Freeport when they started talking about building the Memorial Statues in front of their City Hall. She also belonged to the St. Rita's St. Anne Sewing Group and their Women's Club. She enjoyed Bunko and Bingo. She loved to eat and tried anything and everything at least once.

Every three weeks she looked forward to going out with her daughter, Alice. One: was to get her nails done. She always went with the color for the specific holiday, and used her favorite color yellow, most of the other times. Her favorite sparkle was used on top of the colors she chose, Gold. Two: was to get her hair washed and cut. She didn't like any part of her hair to touch her ears. The hairdressers really babied her. Three: grocery shopping. Oh, my goodness. She really ate well, and so did her pet cats. Otherwise, she was out a lot for Doctor's appointments. Sometimes, she had 2 to 3 a day. She enjoyed Sundays, besides going to church at St. Rita's, she was with her daughter, Alice and her husband, Santos, and many friends.  She was the neighborhood watch dog. If anyone drove in front of her house that she did not know, she would watch where they were going. You could not go by without being noticed.

Mom, you will be truly missed by all your friends you have made with St. Rita's and Christ the King Churches, the neighborhood you have lived in for 18 years, and mostly all of your family.

Love, Alice…..

Mrs. Gouin was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband Edward John Gouin; her brother Joseph Lionel Anger; and her sister Rita Anger Peck.

Mrs. Gouin is survived by her daughter, Alice Ann and Santos Anibel Sanchez of Freeport, Florida; her son John Edward and Susan Marie Gouin of Massachusetts; her grandchildren, Jimmy and Denise Michelle Hiersche of Missouri, David and Betty Hiersche of Alabama, Rodney Joseph and Linda Marie Richards of Missouri, Erin Mitrenko of Pennsylvania, and Lauren Gouin of Massachusetts, Shane Edward and Angely Hiersche Rodriguez of Nicaragua, Karen Yishel and Franklin Nunez, Lissyen Lyneth Sanchez, Brayan Anibal Sanchez, Delsi Raquel Chicas Bautista, Besy Chicas Bautista, Yanira Chicas Bautista and Santa Vasquez (all of Honduras); her great-grandchildren, Alexis, Tyler, and Alyssa Hiersche, Madelyn Ann Marie Elizabeth Richards, Tyanna Angely Hiersche Rodriguez, Fernando Amaya Chicas, Michelle Amaya Chicas, Stephanie Chicas Doblado, Densy Adalid Vazquez Chicas, and Dayrin Jose Vazquez Chicas; and great-great-grandchild Greyson Hiersche.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July  6, 2022 at St. Rita Catholic Church,  137 Moll Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, with Father Michael Hartley officiating.

Reception will follow. Flowers are being accepted.