A figure from this town of Seine-Maritime died at almost 100 years old

“My grandmother was both strong and extremely gentle.”

This is how Virginie Duhamel speaks of her grandmother, who died Monday January 13, 2025 a few months before his 100th birthdayMauricette Duhamel.

A woman known to all

This name should not be unknown to the people of Ventois because Mauricette Duhamel is none other than the mother of a large family in the commune of Ventes-Saint-Rémy in Seine-Maritime.

Indeed, with its 11 children, 26 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, the Duhamel family, most of whom still live between Saint-Saëns and Ventes-Saint-Rémy, no longer needs to be introduced.

Everyone called him when he needed.

Mauricette Duhamel had also been rewarded with a medal for her large family.

“When we were at Grandma’s, not an afternoon went by without two or three people coming for coffee. She received a lot, and everyone called her when they needed», describes Virginie Duhamel.

Municipal councilor for 19 years

If Mauricette Duhamel was born in Mathonville on November 25, 1925, she spent her life in Ventes-Saint-Rémy.

She ran as a municipal councilor, alongside Patrick Lourette, in March 1989, then in 1995, and in 2001.

“She was a big supporter of Patrick Lourette,” said her granddaughter. For the last term, she ran only because he asked her to be by his sidebecause she wanted to stop. »

They ate a lot of the cakes prepared by grandmother at the silver hair club.

Mauricette uses her free time to contribute to the Les Chevaires d'Argent association in her town.

“She wasn’t part of the office but she helped them a lot,” says her eldest daughter.

An unusual life

From a very young age, Mauricette Duhamel had unusual stories to tell. Like when she was held at gunpoint, with her family and neighbors, by the Germans during the war because they hid a resistance fighter under the seat of their cart.

Then, aged 23, Mauricette married Aristide Duhamel in 1948. He died a few years later.

At 44, she found herself alone with her eleven children.

But his strength of character will allow him to continue moving forward for his family.

“She lived a life that was not always easy, but she always had this light to do good,” confides Virginie Duhamel, not without emotion. We will miss her very much. »

A ceremony will take place on Monday January 20, 2025, at the Saint-Saëns church at 2:30 p.m.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.