Beatrice "Bea" E. Quesnel, 81, of Enfield, wife of the late Norman B. Quesnel Sr. (1993), peacefully entered into eternal rest Friday, July 22, 2022 at Johnson Memorial Medical Center surrounded with love from her family and companion. Born in rural Waterbury, VT, a majority of Bea’s later childhood was spent being raised on a farm. Growing up, Bea didn’t have a lot of resources to live her childhood to the fullest. In order to make up for the lack of guidance, she had to learn to persevere at a very young age. These skills were often used while on the farm. One particular instance, often told by Bea, was one in which she encountered her greatest fear: snakes. Other farmhands exploited this fact and used the opportunity to get a rise out of Bea by throwing real snakes from the fields at her while she was driving a tractor. Rather than succumbing to the fear, she grabbed several of those snakes and shoved them in her coat pockets. The boys immediately stopped their shenanigans and retreated.
A lot of people found her strong-willed and |naturally attractive, including her soulmate Norman Quesnel Sr. They ended up moving to Enfield in 1965 and raised a family of their own. Bea devoted her life to not only serving her family, but also her community. She was a founding parishioner of Holy Family Church and was a devout Catholic. Bea was an LPN for 42 years, and compassionately cared for many patients at various nursing facilities. She was the former Director of Meals on Wheels which she faithfully worked for over 14 years. She was also instrumental in founding the Senior Singles Group in Enfield along with her companion Ben Perreault. When she wasn't volunteering, Bea enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, watching birds at her feeder (and sometimes giving them the occasional treat of custard pie), as well as camping in her younger years, playing cards and square dancing. Bea enjoyed with her companion and friends Stonington Ct. beach, dining out, boating, traveling and becoming a connoisseur of ice cream. For those who knew and loved Bea she will be remembered for her perseverance, kindness, strength, compassion, her selflessness, her unwavering positive outlook and sending texts filled with emojis.
She is survived by her three children, Norman Quesnel, Jr. and his wife Brenda of Broad Brook, Lisa Feinman and her companion Jerry Doran of Chester, Sharon Harris and her husband R.B. of Somers, six grandchildren, Benjamin Quesnel and his wife Michelle, Stephen Quesnel and his wife Brittany, Christopher and Jessica Feinman, Rilee and Audrey Harris, and two great granddaughters, Lillia and Gracen Quesnel, Neighbors and the best of friends of 58 years Joe and Donna Gendreau, Ann Quesnel who was like a sister to Bea and brother-in-law Steve Quesnel.
As remembered by her youngest grandchild Audrey Harris, ‘nearly every time we would visit her house, she would have us plop down right on her living room couch and she would unload her vast amount of wisdom and life lessons on us, all while playing the “Wise Ol’ Owl” in the Fairyopoly board game.”
As remembered by Rilee Harris, “Grandma represents the eye of a storm. She is the brief pause of serenity in times of chaos. Even having a simple conversation about why she keeps walnuts and pasta in her fridge sends a wave of love hurtling.”
As remembered by Chris and Jess Feinman, “Grandma was a generous spirit who was always ready to help others. She spent great amounts of time making sure that the needs of everyone around her were met, but she always put her family first. No matter the circumstance, you always know that our grandmother would be there for you.”
As Steve Quesnel remembers, grandma didn't need much to be happy. She always loved to joke laugh and soak in every moment with her family and friends. She tried every restaurant in town and spent years working for meals on wheels. She loved traditions and built many collections of photos dolls snow globes , etc. She was so down to earth and appreciated the little things always reminding her family what's most important in life. She had a super strong faith and toughness that helped her build up an amazing family from very humble beginnings. She loved her toast pitch black, wouldn't go to any holiday without her Cool Whip and was super tech savvy, maybe not so much.
As Ben Quesnel remembers, “Grandma was fun, sassy, and strong and got the family that she always wanted and deserved. She loved her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren and did everything for us with love and special attention. Whether it was filling up her cookie jars with our favorite treats, decorating all the walls of her garage for Halloween, or making perfectly crisp bacon for us to wake up to after a sleep over. She had a special brooch for every holiday, and gave the best cards with words carefully underlined to indicate their importance. She loved to spend time with her family more than anything else, and we will always remember her in those beautiful moments we shared together.”
As Frank Sinatra and Elvis the King so eloquently sang, “I did it my way.”
Calling Hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2022 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. Family and friends will gather at 9 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022 at Leete-Stevens for a procession to Holy Family Church of St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, 23 Simon Rd., Enfield. for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Committal will follow at St. Patrick's King St. Cemetery. Donations in Bea's memory may be made to Fidelco at www.fidelco.org/ways-to-give/ or to the Enfield Food Shelf at www.enfieldfoodshelf.org/donate/. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.