Colleen 'Root' Girouard Obituary (1921

TUPPER LAKE Colleen M Girouard (Root) fondly known to many as "Poopsie", age 80 passed from this world on October 2, 2012 to her eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her loving family and church leaders were by her side, praying. Colleen was the 13th child born on October 13, 1921 to Mary and Ernest Root. The family continued to prosper with a total of 18 children. The Roots always said," God made the trees, and Ernie made the Roots". Colleen and her twin sister Noreen were the first twins born at Mercy Hospital in Tupper Lake. Colleen met the man of her dreams, Adrien Girouard (Mr. G) and they were blessed to share 61 years of marriage. Poopsie said her happiest times of life were when her 6 children were born. They are; John Girouard and his wife Carol, Julie King and husband Rick all of Tupper Lake, Carla Russo husband Carlo of Witherbee NY , Jim Girouard and companion Linda Loucy, Terry Girouard and husband Del Kane all of Rome, NY. She also "adopted" as children Donna Walsh of Forstport and Deb and Tim Wise of TL. They all loved her very much and shared many blessed and funny times with them. She was blessed at the births and sharing her life with 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, all of whom she shared much love and laughter. Her eyes lit up every time she was with them or received a homemade card. She is also survived by two sisters Grace LaSarso (Glens Falls) and Betty LeRoux (Georgia). Six sister-in-laws; Dee, Rita, Margaret, Linda, Tuni and Joan Root and one brother-in-law Bob Conley and many special nieces and nephews. Colleen cherished many friends especially Beulah, Loretta and Lucielle. No one can forget the miracle that occurred a few years ago when Mr. G. allowed Poospie to have a special blessing live in their home, that being her cat, appropriately named by her , "Silly". She was predeceased by her son Michael Girouard in 1986 and grandson Matthew Girouard in 2009. She was also predeceased by her parents, 10 brothers Frances, Dennis, Donny, Larry , Ernest Jr., Tommy, Billy , Buddy, Kenny, Clarence; and five sisters, Kate Holly, Noreen Conley, Pat Root, Margaret Sullivan, and Eleanor Rickborn. Also predeceasing her are many loving sister and brother in-laws and special friends, including Cecile Poirier. Colleen enjoyed people, thus her determination to learn about email and facebook. She so enjoyed friends emails , pictures and jokes, she spent many hours on her computer, sharing life. She has enjoyed many trips with Mr. G and friends to Vegas, Florida and Army reunions. She loved making memories with her daughters on trips to the casinos and her sister's Grace and Noreen. In her younger years she worked primarily as a mother and wife, and she had great joy in that work. For 61 years she continued in that role and always gave wise counsel to her children, and she still blushed when Mr. G winked at her. Colleen's relationship with Jesus grew stronger as she faced her challenges, especially over the past several years after joining the TL Christian Center. She so enjoyed the services, friendship and worship. It was there we learned what a good singer mom was. One of her greatest days with overflowing joy was the day she was water baptized with her daughter Carla and granddaughter Amy. God fulfilled the desires of her heart. Colleen enjoyed her ministry with her church sending the monthly cards to the members and providing the Daily Word booklets to family and friends. She was excited about her "love box" project and talking with people about God with her family, friends and all of the health care providers that came into her life over the years. As strange as it may sound she said she often had fun in the hospital! But warned us not to "tell daddy". Despite her struggles , she denied being sick. She encouraged others always and of course passed on much laughter, she was blessed to be a blessing. Poopsie enjoyed her life with family , church friends, old friends and new, doctors and nurses, home care aids and rescue responders. Colleen truly appreciated all the help given her at home from family, friends and health care providers, most recently Pat, Angie, and Jeannie. You may not be aware Colleen prayed for you. She prayed for all her family, her church, families, her community, soldiers, political leaders, those sick and hurting , the young and the elderly. If you fall into one of these people she prayed daily for blessings upon you. She is special and would want you to remember 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8; "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord". Calling hours are Friday, October 5th from 4pm to 6 pm at the Stuart-Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 24 Cliff Ave Tupper Lake and a Celebration of her life on Saturday, October 6th at 11:00 at the Tupper Lake Christian Center , Park St. Tupper Lake NY. Colleen's wishes are for any donations to be made to the Tupper Lake Christian Center PO Box 1156, Tupper Lake NY 12986