Yvette G. (Poulin) Vigue

WATERVILLE – Yvette G. (Poulin) Vigue, 99, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with her daughters Barbara and Nancy by her side.

Born on June 3, 1926, in Waterville, Yvette was the daughter of Cyrille and Aglaee Poulin. She was predeceased by her siblings, Norman, Leone, Raymond, and Cyrille, Jr., and her son-in-law Chester Sawyer, Jr. A brother, Richard Poulin, of Millbrae, Calif., survives her along with many nieces and nephews.

To know Yvette was to know strength, loyalty, and a whole lot of love. She worked at the Hathaway Shirt Factory for 35 years, never one to shy away from hard work and even after retirement, she kept going, getting jobs at Oak Grove Nursing Home, Inland Hospital, and in the food service department at Waterville Public Schools. She was a hard worker, proud of her French-Canadian roots and strong Catholic faith. A longtime member of the Ladies of Saint Anne in the Corpus Christi Parish, Yvette never missed a beat when it came to helping others or speaking her mind.

But Yvette’s true joy was her family. She was incredibly proud of her three daughters, all of whom became registered nurses. Carol Sawyer of Charleston, Barbara Vigue of Fairfield, and Nancy White and her husband John of Waterville.

She adored her grandchildren, Megan (White) Miller and husband Alex of Temple, Pa., Sarah Brooks and husband Eric of Charleston, and Nathaniel White of Waterville. Her face would light up when she talked about her great-grandchildren, Jordan Brooks and Brooklyn Miller. They were her heart, and they brought her so much joy.

Family gatherings were everything to Yvette. Whether it was Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or just a reason to make a big pot of spaghetti with a side of coleslaw, she loved having everyone together. She was happiest in a room full of family, conversation, and laughter.

She was fiery, funny, and full of life. Stubborn in the best way, with a sharp tongue and a soft heart. She always had her plastic rain cap at the ready and drove giant Buicks like she was piloting a ship despite needing a booster seat to see over the wheel. And yes, she proudly drove two-footed: one foot on the gas, the other on the brake. Riding with her was an act of faith, but somehow, she always got you there.

We are heartbroken, but so incredibly grateful. Grateful for her love, her strength, and the example she set. She taught us what it means to care for others, to speak your truth, and to always, always, show up for your family.

A special thank you to her daughter Barbara, who cared for her with patience, love, and devotion every day in her final years. She knew how lucky she was, and so do we. Thank you!

We will miss her every single day, but we find peace knowing she lived a full, meaningful life and is now reunited with those she loved. She was our Mother, our Mimi, our Sweetheart, and our Heart.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Please visit Yvette’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/yvette-vigue where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.