Jane Linda Goudreault (DeMaso)

A friend and mentor to so many people throughout the world, Jane (Giovanna) Goudreault (DeMaso) peacefully passed away on Monday, January 16, 2012.  She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy as the consummate educator, promoter of talent, and supporter of social justice, daughter Yvonne Marie Caamal Canul and son, Paul Richard Goudreault.  Equally proud to be part of Jane’s family are son-in-law, Victor Caamal Canul and daughter-in-law, Katie Grier Goudreault, grand-children Monet Marie Goudreault and Adrien Richard Goudreault; sisters Dora DeMaso and Delia DeMaso.  Born in Battle Creek to Eliseo and Maria DeMaso on April 15, 1926, Jane was one of 6 children.  She married Fernand Leo Goudreault on December 30, 1950.  Together they traveled the world, always creating a home environment where everyone was welcome – a cup of coffee, a slice of flan.  They were true global citizens, spoke several languages, and forged life-long friendships wherever they went.

Hundreds of people have been impacted by her kindness, gentle advice, and listening ear.  Her great compassion and never-faltering faithfulness to those she loved will forever be remembered.  As a teacher (Eastern High School, Bellevue and Olivet Schools, and Olivet College), school administrator (Olivet Schools), wife to a Foreign Service diplomat (Brazil, Mexico, and Chile), mother to children who adored her, friend to everyone she met, Jane has a special place in the hearts of so many.  She believed that the path to personal and professional success was through continuing education.  A proud graduate of the University of Michigan, Jane was an ardent supporter of her beloved Wolverines, faithfully watching every televised basketball and football game.

A “Gathering of Friends of Jane” will take place at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from noon to 3 p.m.  Please, no flowers.  A special fund in Jane’s name will be established with an education organization chosen by Jane’s family and based on her affiliations.  If so desired, you may make a contribution to:  The “Jane Goudreault Scholarship Fund” and send to: 504 W. Spring Meadows Lane, DeWitt, Michigan 48820 in care of Yvonne Caamal Canul. Jane would also appreciate an act of human kindness from one person to another in need of a generous spirit.

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40 Messages to “Jane Linda Goudreault (DeMaso)

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Pamela Heos
January 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm

What a wonderful, smart, kind, considerate and interesting lady Jane was. It was a privilege knowing her and I will miss our Olivetian lunches with her. My deepest sympathy to the family.

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Jill Melton
January 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Jane was my teacher, my neighbor in Olivet, and a treasured friend. My sympathy to her family and to all who have known her. She is going to be missed but never forgotten….one of the most kind, thoughtful, fun-loving persons I’ve known.

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Hans Andrews
January 17, 2012 at 3:48 pm

Dear Yvonne, Paul, Victor and Katie and Grandchildren of Jane:

We have all lost one of the finest persons Michigan has ever had! I came to know Jane when we explored ways to help get more and more adults into her adult education program in Olivet and the Kellogg Community Colleges of Battle Creek adult education programs.

The dreams of so many adult had been thwarted when they had to drop out of school for many reasons, often out of their own control, before obtaining their high school diplomas. Jane had an uncany but very effective way of showing them the way back and to give them the extra support each of them needed to finally realize their dreams of school completion.

Her work in Olivet was second to none in Michigan in drawing people out of the woodwork and into homes of their friends to have coffee and discuss going back to adult evening high school at Olivet High School. One year we presented Kellogg Community Colleges’ small scholarship amounts to 14 or 15 of her 75+ adult graduates while the school’s day program graduated about 94 persons the same year. Her students won most of the adult scholarships the college granted.

Her love of people in the community and profession and her ability to make their living circumstances better lives in the hearts of thousands of us she came to know over the years. Jane will be missed deeply by all of us who came into her friendship. She deeply loved her family and was so very proud of each of them.

Even though Jane knew I had a degree from MSU she was still very nice to me except when Michigan and Michigan State would have to play each other! That was true up through the fall of this year.

Most Sincerely,

Hans A. Andrews

(former V.P. of Community and Student Services,
KCC, Battle Creek, Michigan)

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Ignacio and family
January 17, 2012 at 4:18 pm

Dear Yvonne, Paul, Victor, Katie and grandchildren of Jane,
Needless to say, we are very very sad as we read your recent e.mail message.
You do know how much we personally owe to our Jane, our dear friend since 1958.
Yeda, Cida and I are sending you all our sincere condolence with our prayers.
Let us never forget her!
Love,
Yeda, Cida, Ignacio & family.

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RON FAZIO
January 17, 2012 at 4:28 pm

Jane was a friend who I first met at Olivet College in 1966. Fern & Jane made my days very special at Olivet. I always kept in touch with Jane after Fern passed away. She was a very warm, friendly, and worldly person. When I called from NJ,we always had great conversations & she loved Michigan. I will miss her and always remember her with love. My sympathy to her family

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Amber Boyer
January 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm

What a great encourager she was to me during the different challenges and blessings throughout my life. She will be missed.

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Mabel Tapela
January 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm

Jane, you were a part of my life since I was a teenager. In spite of the distance, we were in touch during all these 42 years and I shall miss you a lot! I’m so glad we could see each other again last year in June. I do thank God for that! Your memories shall be with me, deep in my heart, during my whole life. I love you a lot! Your friend forever, Mabel

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Arend & Judy Post
January 17, 2012 at 5:31 pm

She was a great educator and an even greater friend. We will miss the restaurants and great far-ranging conversations over tea and cookies in the sun room. We will miss her caring, encouragement and critiques. Most of all, we will miss her world-class hugs and promise to go somewhere new next time.

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Mike Radke
January 17, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Jane’s greatness, depth, and strength were apparent to all. She touched so many people, inspired family, friends and acquaintances alike. Her contributions endure in the best qualities of her family, friends and students.

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Gary & Angel Judy
January 17, 2012 at 7:26 pm

The world just lost a great lady that touched many lives. Our prayers go out to your family.

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Fernande & Mike Lopez
January 17, 2012 at 7:54 pm

Aunt Jane was a wonderful aunt to me my sister Denise & Cecile .She never forgot our birthdays and kept us informed of the family.She will be missed.

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Steven Barrigar
January 17, 2012 at 8:15 pm

Jane, Fern and you had such a great influence on my life. I would never had joined the Peace Corps had it not been for you. You planted the seed in me and gave it a chance to grow. You are one of very few people who remembers my wedding anniversary every year, and your cards were something I looked forward to receiving. I will miss you greatly.

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Marilyn McPherson
January 17, 2012 at 10:28 pm

I so enjoyed Jane from Delta Kappa Gamma. She will be missed.

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Sandy Grimaldi
January 18, 2012 at 6:16 am

Dear Yvonne, Paul and Family,

I beautiful light has just gone out in this world and it is a tremendous loss. Jane’s spirit will live on and be passed to others by you and all of the hundreds of friends, students and co-worker whose lives she touched. She was a great teacher, critic teacher and, most of all, a great friend. I will miss her deeply. I pray that she is at rest and that you find comfort from all of your friends and family and the wonderful memories you have of her.

Con cariño y vaya con Dios, Jane.

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Nancy Lewis
January 18, 2012 at 7:08 am

Jane had the heart to make each and every person she met feel special. I feel so grateful that she touched my life.

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Laurinho & Ana D'Aurea
January 18, 2012 at 8:14 am

It was with great sorrow that we felt the passage of our dear Mrs Jane to other dimensions. We have great childhood memories from the time that the Goudreault couple lived in Fortaleza- Brazil, during the the 50’s. This beautiful relationship with those wonderful and fraternal people took us back 2 times to the US, so we could meet them again, in Olivet and Rosewell. During all those years Mrs Jane kept us informed about all the family news. Mrs Jane had a great life, filled with gestures and actions that contribute to the well being of those around her, with her humble and gentle spirit. Pleople like Jane will be missed forever and makes a family very proud to have her as a mother. Please receive our condolences. We will keep praying for you all. A big and warm hug to you,
Laurinho Chaves, Ana D’Aurea and family.

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Marty (Barnes) Spiegelman
January 18, 2012 at 8:53 am

I am so sorry to hear that Jane passed away. (I lost my own father on Christmas.) She was my Spanish teacher in high school and responsible for the Mexico student exchange program that first opened my eyes to the world. I think that she touched many of us in that way. She was a strong, wonderful person and a role model to me. I was lucky to be taught by her. Our condolences to Yvonne, Paul and the family.

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Carol Groner-Marsh
January 18, 2012 at 9:10 am

I babysat for Jane over 50 years ago while a neighbor in Bellevue. Her kindness and concern for others was always foremost. I learned many things from her, including what a fossil was! Years later when I met her again, she acted like a long lost friend to me. No wonder she was such a treasure to so many people. She will be greatly missed.

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Jean (Hayter) Reber
January 18, 2012 at 9:57 am

I am inexpressively saddened to hear of Jane’s passing. She has been a tremendous and constant positive influence and support throughout my life and she will be sorely missed. She was a childhood mentor and teacher who become a lifelong cherished friend. My deepest sympathies to Yvonne, Victor, Paul and his family on the loss of your truly fabulous mother, mother-in-law and grandmother.

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Polly (Baird) Edington
January 18, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Our family loved and admired Fern, Jane, Yvonne and Paul Goudreault! First Dad died, then Fern, then Mom and now Jane…they should be reuniting soon! What great examples they all were and now it is for Tom, Dee, Yvonne, Victor, Paul and me and our children to continue to carry the torch of kindness, compassion, honesty and love to others…thanks Jane for leading us!

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Brian Crafts
January 18, 2012 at 12:47 pm

When I think of Mrs. G, I think of two things she defines. She defines the definition of a lady and the definition of a true friend…we will all miss you very much. My prayers and sympathy go out to your family. We were all blessed to have had you in our lives.

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Melissa Fittro Marino
January 18, 2012 at 3:53 pm

I will always cherish Jane’s friendship, her giving spirit, and her special way of viewing the whole world as her family. Ever encouraging and wanting everyone to realize their full potential. Sincere thoughts and prayers from my family,
Love,
Melissa

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dawn (DeMaso) Berry
January 18, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Aunt Jane was a very extraordinary Lady. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was touched by her. Its a sad time I know. May she rest in peace. God Bless.

Love
Dawn

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Ricardo & Patricia Briones
January 18, 2012 at 5:48 pm

We were blessed to have known Jane. We received her love and friendship for many years. We will treasure that forever. Our love and thoughts to the family.

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Deloris Williams
January 18, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Yvonne, Victor, and Paul, I have treasured my opportunities to see Jane these last few years. She always spoke so highly of all of you and the work you are doing to make the world a better place. Learning Spanish from her in Bellevue helped me with other languages I needed to use in the future. May you continue to be inspired by the example of a grand lady. My love and thoughts are with all of you.

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Tom Baird
January 18, 2012 at 7:47 pm

The Lord blessed us all with a woman of noble character in Jane in whom we all can in turn become a part of His blessing to others because of her. Once you were known by her you became a part of her family. Yvonne, Victor and Paul, thank you for opening your hearts and home to all of us with your(our) mother. From Saint Vincent here in the Caribbean I feel a great loss at Jane’s passing. Yet, in the eternal Spirit of God in Christ Jesus we have hope to be re-united again in a far better place. Jane was one who gave us the example of the Lord’s prayer in “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done.” She was a part of the Lord’s perfect desire for us all in bringing a part of His Heavenly Kingdom here on earth to us. My prayers are with you all as we go through our grief at the loss of your mother and our friend.

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Rande Horn
January 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

A person who changed how I saw the world. She made my life richer because she taught the importance to learn about others without judging them. We have all lost a good friend.
My thoughts go out to the entire family.

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Crayford Family
January 18, 2012 at 9:49 pm

Paul, Katie, Monet and Adrian and family,

We are so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She sounded like an amazing woman. Her legacy lives on with all of you, as she obviously raised an amazing family. May you celebrate her life and cherish each memory she has given you all. Blessings to your family.

With our deepest sympathy,

Missy, Jeremy, Evan and Simone Crayford

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Scott & Eileen Mintier
January 19, 2012 at 7:56 am

Janie was a dear friend and we will all miss her. Our prayers are with you in this time of grief.
Scott and Eileen

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Linda McGuire
January 19, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Jane will be remembered by me as a wonderful caring soul. Her encouragment and positive uplifting life has been a role model to me for many years. Her words inpowered countless people, including myself to strive to come closer to becoming the best persons we can be. She will be fondly remembered. So glad I was a part of her life. Blessing to the family. Much love Linda McGuire

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Rhea Wilkes
January 20, 2012 at 1:32 am

So very sorry for your loss, please know that all people in education have a guardian angel watching over them.

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George,Phyllis, and Kathy Hollister
January 20, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are. Your mom was such a vibrant woman. Her legacy really goes without saying…that’s how special she is. Prayers to the family.

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Rod DeMaso
January 21, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Dear Yvonne, Paul and Family,

We are deeply saddened at the news of your Mom’s passing. She will be missed. Growing up I remember her as an educated, warm, gracious, and cultured aunt. She had lived outside the United States (Brazil, Mexico, & Chile) and was part of the Olivet College community. For a kid like me growing up in Battle Creek, that was a wow.

Even with this wow, she had a way about her that always made you feel she enjoyed every minute she was spending with you. This was one of the many things really special about her.

In recent years, she would periodically send us old photos, articles of interest, support of our mutually favorite college sports team (Michigan Wolverines), or a life-coaching minute. We appreciated these thoughtful exchanges and will miss them.

We have been and will continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Rod and Family

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Art & Susan Stine
January 21, 2012 at 6:02 pm

To Jane’s family…

It seems like just yesterday that we were having a wonderful conversation with Jane on the telephone…it’s hard to believe that the same won’t happen again next week…it seems that such a fine example of the best that humanity has to offer should be in our midst forever…you have been so blessed, as have each and every one of us whose lives this very special Lady touched…

Art & Susan Stine

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Susette Jaquette
January 21, 2012 at 10:30 pm

Mrs. Gouldreault was the ultimate teacher. She taught every day of her life. I am so grateful to have been one of her students. What a wonderful woman.
My sympathies to Paul, Yvonne, and Victor.

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Cindy Holley Miller
January 22, 2012 at 9:43 am

I extend my deepest sympathy for Jane’s passing, and my heartfelt gratitude for the blessing of having Jane’s presence and influence in my life. She truly is one of a kind. I hope to always continue to strive to meet her mark.

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Tom Buffett
January 22, 2012 at 11:12 am

Although we only met her a handful of times, we will miss Jane, no one more than Olivia. I will always remember Jane at your back to Michigan party. Olivia and I went to say hello and Jane immediately piped up, “Hello Olivia!” While the rest of mingled and (mostly) ran after Helena, Olivia hung with Jane, two peas in a pod watching the Tigers. We are sorry for our loss but know that her spirit lives on.

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Cathy DeMason
January 22, 2012 at 5:03 pm

You are in our thougths and prayers, we are sorry for your loss, Marc and Cathy DeMason

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Maria Teresa Chaves Façanhã
January 24, 2012 at 1:28 pm

A nossa querida D.Jane sempre estará em nossaS lembranças. Pois em vida soube cultivar com fidelidade as amizades. Aqui no Ceará ela construiu uma segunda familia do coração. Um abraço para Yvone e Paul da Maria Teresa

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Cecile Houser & Denise Soucy
January 24, 2012 at 9:45 pm

My deepest symphathy to Aunt Jane’s family. We will miss her humor and great personality. Even though over the years our only contact has been through emails and letters. We will greatly miss that communication between us. I remember when we first met Aunt Jane, uncle Fern brought her over to meet us. We were very young but remember how wonderful they were together. She is now by his side looking down at her family and sending them belssings.

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