Albertine Socquet was a caregiver her whole life and even after her death last September at age 103, she is still giving to improve the lives of others. In her will, Socquet donated $23,547 each to St. Paul Extendicare, Sunnyside Manor and the J.P. Decosse Auxiliary Hospital. She lived at Sunnyside for 15 years before moving to the Auxiliary and although she never lived at the extended care facility, she often visited her brother Joseph when he stayed there.
“She was a very pleasant lady and everybody liked her," said Mary Anne Watt, manager of Sunnyside Manor. Watt explained that the money will go into the “comfort fund" and the residents will decide how it is spent.
Her good friend and volunteer caregiver Yvonne Joly said that Socquet was indeed a very giving woman who would help anyone in need. She dedicated her life to caring for her mother, who lived to be over 101, and her two brothers Aime and Joseph, who died in their later years. Socquet never married, although she did have a couple of interested suitors.
She was proud and even at age 102, she was known to have her hair done nicely and to put on her red dress for occasions such as Valentine's Day and Christmas and “let us know that she did not lie down, so as to not mess up her hair," recalled Joly of her friend.
Socquet was born on Aug. 15, 1907 in Woburn, Que. to Aime Socquet and Juliette Dubrule. In 1938, after her father died, Socquet came out with her mother and Aime to join Joseph, who owned and operated a General store and Post Office in St. Edouard. They later moved to St. Paul, where they owned and operated a store called Central Supplies.
Socquet frequently talked on the phone with her cousins and nieces in Quebec; however, as kind and generous as she was to those who needed help, she had little patience for telephone solicitors. “She had a distinct way of letting them know she was not happy with them. It's not a saying that I would repeat in public but she sure got her message across," said Joly.
She is also remembered for her faith. When Fr. Croteau offered her communions or when the Dominican Sisters came by, Socquet was alert and took part in the prayers.
Although she has left the community, her generous spirit will remain behind and continue to help others with her donations to the local institutions.
“She realized that these (institutions) are so important in our community," said Joly. “She liked what she saw at all three of these places and she wanted her money to go to help the residents."
The funds received at Extendicare will go directly to the residents' council, which will vote on how to best use the money to improve the daily lives of all the residents.
“This is one heck of a surprise. When I heard that we were getting some money, I was thinking $500 or $1,000," said Jean Poulin, president of the residents' council.
Activity coordinator Viviane Austin explained that Extendicare is a non-profit organization and there is very little money in the operating budget for the little extras to make life comfortable for residents. She said that the funds could also be used for additional outings, like taking residents to the rodeo – however, whatever happens with the funds will be up to the residents' council.
“We are thrilled with the recognition," said Bev Chomlak, recreation therapist at the Auxiliary. She also said that the funds will be used to make the facility more of a home for the residents, such as purchasing Christmas presents for everyone. “I just want to say thank you - we appreciate it so much."
Joly would hardly expect little else from her dear and generous friend, for whom she shares the final words, “May God bless you Albertine."
