Yvette B. (Michaud) Padula

Yvette B. Padula, 100, of Westminster, MA, formerly of Lunenburg, MA, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on August 22, 2023. She was born on August 1, 1923, in Fitchburg, MA, to the late Bertha (née Leblanc) and Laurier Michaud. Yvette grew up during The Great Depression and left school early to help support her family. During World War II, she worked at General Electric in Fitchburg, contributing to the war effort as a real-life “Rosie the Riveter”. She continued to embody that “can-do” spirit throughout the rest of her life. She married John Padula in 1960, and when he passed in 1968 she devoted herself to raising their four children. Because she wanted to be home with her children before and after school, Yvette took a position in the Lunenburg school cafeteria where she worked for over 20 years. This decision to put her children first was forever appreciated by them. Yvette worshipped at St. Joseph’s Parish of Fitchburg where she found solace and community. In her free time, Yvette enjoyed going to yard sales, playing SkipBo, attending concerts and cookouts, growing tomatoes, and most of all spending time with her family. She was also very involved with The Arc of Opportunity. She will always be remembered for her dedication to her family, her infectious smile, and her love of social gatherings. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will be forever cherished by all who knew her. Yvette is survived by her brother, Robert Michaud and his wife, Jane, of Albany, NY, her children, Jeff of Gardner, Paul and his wife Sandy of Westminster, Tommy of Westminster, and Michele McIntyre and her husband Jim of Lunenburg. Yvette will be dearly missed by her grandsons John, Luke, and Jeremy, granddaughters Marenne, Analise, and Jen, as well as her great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, and her siblings Gilly, Billy, Anita, Lucille, and Lorraine. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 29, at 10AM in St. Jospeh’s Church, 49 Woodland St., Fitchburg. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 28, from 4 to 7 PM in the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be sent to The Arc of Opportunity at 564 Main Street in Fitchburg.

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Yvette B. (Michaud) Padula

August 1, 1923 - August 22, 2023