Pauline J. Gingue

Pauline J. (Lapierre) Gingue, 92, of St. Johnsbury, VT, formerly of Waterford, VT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

Born in Ste-Martine, Courcelle, Quebec, Canada on March 24, 1933, Pauline was one of twelve children of Antonio and Julianna (Bergeron) Lapierre. Growing up in the close-knit Lapierre family shaped the values that guided her entire life: hard work, humility, faith, and an abiding devotion to the people she loved.

At the age of 21, Pauline married the love of her life, Theodore Joseph “Joe” Gingue, on May 1, 1954. Together they built a life that rooted deeply in family, farming, and community. Their barn and farmland were even featured in a Vermont environmental report during the planning of Interstate 93 – a small but meaningful reminder that their hard work became part of Vermont’s agricultural story. In 2007, Pauline proudly became a United States citizen, a milestone she cherished.

Pauline’s hands were rarely still. She was a gifted knitter who created countless sweaters, mittens and hats for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many years she donated knitted items to the Santa Fund. She was an exceptional cook and baker, and the kitchen table was often full of food; family and friends gathered there with the overflow often spilling into other rooms. She especially loved the seafood dinners and the meals always ended with desserts. On the family farm during haying season, she worked in the fields helping to ensure the haying was done in a timely manner. During the winter months, when snowmobiles were available, she would go riding with Joe. Above all, Pauline lived every day for her family. At gatherings she could often be found quietly cooking, rocking, observing, knitting and soaking in the memories being created – most often holding a baby.

Pauline is survived by her seven sons and two daughters: Andre and wife Dianne of Waterford, VT; Maurice and wife Janette of Raleigh, NC; Bernard and wife Karen of Kirby, VT; Michel and wife Joni of Barnet, VT; Helene Hutchinson and husband Peter of Standish, ME; Marc and wife Colleen of St. Johnsbury, VT: Raymond and wife Dolores of Arlington, VT; Norman of Waterford, VT and Jaqueline Bennett and husband Howard of St. Johnsbury, VT. She leaves behind a brother, Jean-Guy Lapierre and wife Denise; two sisters Cecile Turcotte and Suzanne Breault; sisters-in-law Marie-Reine Lapierre and Frances Gingue; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joe; four brothers – Gaston (with wife Ethel), Raoul (with wife Gisele), George (with wife Christine), and Rejean; four sisters – Therese Pruneau (and husband Robert), Georgette Benoit (and husband Roland), Mariette Grenier (and husband Leo) and Bibiane Lapierre; and brothers-in-law Bertrand Turcotte and Gervais Breault.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5-7 PM at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 49 Winter Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.

Burial will take place May 2, 2026, at 11 AM at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 6 St. John Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.

Memorial donations in Pauline’s memory may be made to: The Santa Fund, c/o St. Johnsbury Fire Department, 1187 Main Street, Suite 3, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or Meals on Wheels, c/o NEK Council on Aging, 481 Summer Street, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Condolences may be shared online at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.