Marie Ursule Agathe Payeur was born on March 19, 1907 in Notre Dame de Ham, PQ, Canada. Ursule was the 6th child of Arthur and Marie Louise Payeur. Arthur was the owner of the Fortin-Payeur “embouteilleure” soft drink bottling company and Marie Louise was a mother, homemaker and seamstress. Ursule spent her first 15 years in Notre Dame de Ham and Thetford Mines, Canada. Then in 1922 the family decided to move to Springvale, Maine and in 1923 they moved again and this time it was to Woonsocket, RI.
In 1928, Arthur became very sick and passed away on November 5th of that year. Marie Louise brought up 11 children on her own. Thankfully, the older children were able to work in the mills of Woonsocket in an effort to help out. Marie Louise began her Seamstress business and sewed for many affluent clients, as well as the clergy of Woonsocket. Ursule, at this time, was 21 years of age and virtually became her Mother’s right hand man. Ursule was employed at the Glenark Mill and gave her paycheck to her Mother; she also helped with bringing up the younger children. Ursule witnessed all of her siblings’ marriages; yet, she stayed home and was always the responsible one that wanted to please her Mother. Ursule loved photography and this family was blessed with so many pictures because of Ursule’s enterprising ways.
In 1950, at the age of 43 years, her cousin, Amédeé Ouellette, from Sainte Claude, Canada proposed marriage to Ursule. She was a bit hesitant at the beginning but after Amédeé made several trips to Woonsocket to court Ursule, she accepted. Now, because she and Amédeé were first cousins, her parish, Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket, refused to marry them. Amedee’s parish, Sainte Claude, petitioned to Rome for a dispensation and allowed the marriage. Ursule and Amédeé were married on May 13th, 1950 at St. Claude Church in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Upon this marriage, Ursule became captain of her own ship and began her log, diaries that we can now all share and enjoy. Her motivations for writing these diaries was part the organizational person that she was and also having a home of her own; she now had the time and desire to write and leave her story for those who followed.
Ursule’s mother-in-law was also her aunt, Amabilis, Marie Louise’s sister. So, of course, she was quite well acquainted with her new mother and father-in-law. The compatibility between Amabilis and Ursule was fabulous and Ursule’s new life in Saint Claude became a blessing. She learned from her mother-in-law how to run the store and post office, which were attached to the farmhouse where they lived. Amédeé ran the farm and Ursule ran everything else. Theirs was truly a beautiful marriage. Médeé and Ursule became the grandest hosts for all the United States relatives; they housed and entertained every one of Ursule’s siblings and their families right down to the great nieces and nephews. A trip to the farm at Saint Claude was glorious and my children will always cherish the magical memories of the cabane au sucre, the cows being milked at dawn and best of all, Ma Tante Ursule letting them choose whatever candy they wanted from the store.
Ursule was very religious and put her trust in God and He in turn bequeathed her with a long, fulfilling life surrounded with family and friends who adored her company.
Submitted with Love and Respect:
Carolyn Bourget Faubert
Ursule Payeur Ouellette’s niece – daughter of Irene Payeur Bourget – Ursule’s sister.
Note: Marie Louise and Arthur Payeur were also first cousins – Arthur was 12 years older than Marie Louise. They gave life to 18 children; 11 who lived to adulthood.
Alphonse and Amabilis were Amédeé’s parents: Alphonse passed away on May 31, 1950 – just 18 days after Ursule and Amédeé’s wedding.