Gosselin remembered as champion for Lawrence

Aug. 08--LAWRENCE -- Regardless of whether she held elected office, former City Councilor Marilda "Marie" Gosselin was a woman who loved her native city.

"She got involved and worked hard every day. She made the city a better place," said former Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan, a longtime family friend, who was among many locals remembering Gosselin fondly after she died Monday.

Gosselin, 77, died at Massachusetts General Hospital after a brief period of declining health, said her son, Matthew Gosselin, 40.

"My mother was Lawrence," he said. "She was the toughest woman but she had a heart of gold."

Gosselin (whose maiden name was Gagnon) grew up in the Essex Street projects, attended St. Mary's School and St. Mary's High School, graduating in 1957.

She later became the first "Lady Agent" for MetLife insurance, a job she held for more than 40 years, Matthew Gosselin said.

Her territory was South Lawrence and she was regarded as a "top seller," said Sullivan, whose family also is in the insurance business.

Gosselin later served on the city's Planning Board and City Council, holding the District F council seat for 10 years.

As a councilor, she helped oversee the construction of the city's new high school and renovations at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"Her name is on a few bronze plaques ... She had some accomplishments under her belt. And when she wasn't in office, she was still out there working on street clean ups and parades," Sullivan said.

Gosselin was an active member in many city groups, including the Colonial Heights Neighborhood Association, where she was a regular at meetings and served on the board.

She was a longtime organizer and fundraiser of the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Santa Parade.

An avid bowler and golfer, Gosselin also had a summer home at Salisbury Beach.

"She was always doing something. She believed in living life to the fullest," Sullivan said.

In a 2007 Eagle-Tribune interview, Gosselin described her need to stay involved with the city.

"It's in my blood," she said.

As District F councilor, Gosselin was known to walk her South Lawrence district on Saturday mornings with a notebook, taking down a list of complaints or areas that needed improvement.

City Councilor Marc Laplante recalled Gosselin's campaign slogan: "Working hard for you."

"Those were not empty words. There was no request too small she wouldn't handle and try to assist," he said.

As he campaigns himself, Laplante says he frequently hears from residents Gosselin helped.

"They have not forgotten. Lawrence lost a good one," Laplante said.

Lillian Michaud also remembered Gosselin's intensity and energy.

"Every time she walked through my door she'd ask, 'What do you think of this idea?' said Michaud, who was the Lawrence City Council administrative assistant for 30 years.

"She always had a thought, a project or a vision to improve Lawrence. She never backed down and spoke at length on matters important to her until she garnered the votes. She was a character and a strong woman and her absence will be noticed," said Michaud, who is retired.

Mayor Daniel Rivera also shared his thoughts about Gosselin in a Facebook post Tuesday morning.

"Marie was a tough lady and we didn't always agree but she is an important part of Lawrence and it's political history," he said. "Her toughness helped our city be a better place. She will be missed."

Matthew Gosselin said his mother "would never back down from a problem."

"If there was a line, she would always be the one to cross it. She was straightforward," he said.

Gosselin was predeceased by her husband, Gilles Henry Gosselin, who died of a heart attack in 1983.

Her wake will be held Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the John Breen Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, and her funeral is at St. Patrick's Church, 118 So. Broadway, Lawrence at 11 a.m. Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for all donations to be made in Gosselin's name to a charity of one's choice.

Matthew said all of his mother's arrangements had to, of course, be in the city.

"Everything had to be in Lawrence," he said.

Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter @EagleTribJill.

___

(c)2017 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)

Visit The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) at www.eagletribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.