Alida Rose King Obituary (1917 - 2014)

WATERVILLE, MAINE--Alida Rose Bourque King, 97, passed to heaven on Thursday, May 29, 2014, just as she wished, with her loving family by her side. She was born on February 2, 1917, in Waterville, Maine, one of 16 children of Vital and Philomene Bourque. Against the backdrop of the Roaring 20's and prohibition, young Alida received her first holy communion at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours in Waterville, Maine and remained a devoted, lifelong communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fairfield, Maine. In 1935, Alida and Rene King, Sr. married in Waterville, Maine. They owned a local convenience store where she worked until 1937, when their first child was born. She was then promoted to her chosen vocation: motherhood. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, the young couple worked together to raise their wonderful six children. In addition to working at the mill, Rene ran a workshop out of the house where he and several of the kids made wooden trophy bases for a New York company while Alida made the children’s' clothes and fed them hearty, traditional French meals. In support of his wife's culinary talents, Rene built Alida a canning room in the root cellar where she put her skills to work in making jams, jellies and applesauce. In her downtime, Alida was a member of the Stitch & Chatter Club and truly enjoyed this social time with her friends. As a result of their hard work, in 1958, the couple bought what became a family mecca: the Camp at Oak Pond. As the turbulent 60's began to unfold, Alida and Rene's family tree began to grow rapidly with an abundance of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. "Camp" became a wonderful place of peace and happiness for all family members. For more than 40 years, they opened their lives to friends and family who would enjoy long summer days of swimming, frog-hunting and volleyball. All of the "King babies" (either by blood or in spirit) learned to water-ski and play a good hand of 31 "upta camp." They remained completely devoted to one another for 55 years, separated in body only, by Rene's passing in 1990. Alida was 73, but thanks to her brawn, remained strong, independent and social for two decades. She even drove herself to bridge club games until she was 90 years old. As a young woman, Alida learned to play the piano and became quite well-versed. She was often sought after to play at social gatherings. Many fondly remember when Alida would play the piano and Rene would play his fiddle in the family-filled house on Maple Street in Fairfield, Maine. Among her many other talents, she was fluent in two languages, had a wonderful singing voice, was expert in the kitchen (making amazing tourtiere pies and gaulettes), and was fiercely sharp at the bridge table. She played in several groups well into her 90's. She also volunteered as a registrar during the voting seasons, which she loved because she was able to meet new people and socialize with her friends and neighbors. From the 60's on, "Grammy" continued to support the family by doting on her many grandchildren. Grandson Benjamin recalls being "lovingly rocked for hours on end when she used to watch me while my parents worked in the early days of running the Dairy Queen." Since 2010, she has lived at Mount St. Joseph in Waterville, Maine where she received wonderful care from the entire staff. There she was able to enjoy the regular company of her large and loving family, adventurous outings, costume parties and spa days that included one of her favorite things: getting a pedicure. She is survived by her children, Carla Jean King of Yarmouth, Maine, Rene "Sonny" King, Jr. and Caryl Estes of Waterville, Maine, Thomas and Deanna King of Shawmut, Maine, Stephen and Valerie King of Palermo, Maine, Renette and Harvey Couture of Waterville, Maine, Karen King Wheeler and David Webster of Sidney, Maine; her grandchildren, Paul McCourt, Catherine Frost, Andrew McCourt, Elizabeth Penny, Christine Burton, John Estes, Karyn Lewis, David King, Rhonda Garber, Corrina Marcoux, Brian King, Cathy King, Dennis King, Tiffany McPhetres, Christopher Bean, Lyn Kendall, Caryn Couture, Ben Wheeler, Caleb Wheeler and Lucas Wheeler; as well as several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by 15 siblings. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, June 5 at 9 a.m. at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours, 112 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04901. A reception will be held after the services at T & B's Celebration Center and Banquet Facility, at 6 Jefferson St., Waterville, ME. To celebrate the spiritual reunion of Alida and Rene, in lieu of flowers, please make your contribution to Mount St. Joseph, Memory Lane Activities Fund. 7 Highwood Street, Waterville, Me 04901.