In Memory Of
Huguette Denise Gonet
1932
2024
Huguette Denise Gonet
April 20, 1932 — March 31, 2024
Huguette Denise Gonet, 91, of Olathe, KS (formerly Tallassee, AL), passed away March 31, 2024 on Easter Sunday. Funeral Mass will be held in her memory on May 24th at 10:00 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church 16000 W. 143rd St Olathe, KS.
Huguette was born in Wormhout, France, on April 20th 1932 to Paul and Claire (DeCooninck) Achte. Several events proceeded her move to America. During World War II in occupied France, the family's home was destroyed while Huguette, her sister Paulette, and their parents fearfully awaited their fate during bombing raids, crowded in a cellar a few blocks away. Having survived these trials, their family moved to Paris shortly after the war ended in search of new beginnings. Here she met the love of her life Bernard Yves Gonet. Bernard spent a year in the United States from 1949-1950 and returned to France with dreams of living in America. Bernard and Huguette resumed dating and planned their future together, including moving to America after they married. They were wed April 16th, 1951, a marriage that would last 67 years until Bernard preceded Huguette in death May 10, 2018. They started their journey to the United States, boarding a ship in Le Harve, France, with their few possessions packed in steamer trunks, on Nov. 15th, 1951. After processing through Ellis Island, they began their travels by train to St. Louis, MO, on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 22nd, 1951. There they made their new life together, becoming US Citizens in March of 1957 and raising their children, Phil and Cindy.
After a brief return to France in 1973, they realized that their life in the United States with their children and friends (many of whom had immigrated from France as they had), was where their true happiness could be found. They returned to St. Louis to live in 1975 and remained there until the spring of 2012 when they moved to Tallassee, AL, to live next door to their son Phil and his wife Lee. There they continued their journey together with help from Phil and Lee as Bernard's dementia progressed. After Bernard's death in 2018, it became increasingly difficult for Huguette to maintain her own home alone and she eventually moved to Olathe in November of 2023 to live with her daughter Cindy and son-in-law Bob.
Huguette spent her adult life committed to family first, staying home when her children were young. She had many interests, including her love of plants and flowers which thrived in her care. During her working years, she wore several hats. As a salesperson she let her kindness thrive with clients, adored by all as the "lovely French woman." Huguette passed on her knowledge of the French language to her children and others, through private lessons, Montessori schools, and various adult-education classes in the St. Louis metro area.
Huguette enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right and many meals were timed around these two shows. She also loved to read, mainly romance novels, including one she was reading while pregnant which led to christening their daughter Cynthia, which she found to be a lovely name. In her final years she read and reread Danielle Steele novels exclusively, including her final novel, "The Mistress." Huguette was unable to complete the novel herself, but Cindy and Jessi finished reading it to her the day before her passing on Resurrection Sunday.
The family would like to thank everyone at Ascend Health for the excellent Hospice Care they provided for Huguette in her final days. Their loving care of Huguette and support of the family during this difficult time made the process of losing our mother much easier. Her lead nurse Lee and aide Michelle were gifts to our lives, yet there were many others who helped along the way that were equally supportive and kind and too numerous to mention.
Huguette will be greatly missed by her family and many friends made throughout her journey of nearly 92 years. She leaves behind her son Phil (Lee) Gonet and daughter Cindy (Bob) Achey, her four grandchildren; Jessi (Jeff) Goodwin, Patrick Gonet, Greg (Caitlin) Achey, Karl (Chris Driver) Achey and three great-grandchildren; Elliot and Finna Goodwin and Ronan Achey.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Ascend Health Hospice Care 4550 W. 109th St. Suite 210, Overland Park KS 66211 or Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd St, Olathe KS 66062.
To leave a message for Huguette's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
Huguette was born in Wormhout, France, on April 20th 1932 to Paul and Claire (DeCooninck) Achte. Several events proceeded her move to America. During World War II in occupied France, the family's home was destroyed while Huguette, her sister Paulette, and their parents fearfully awaited their fate during bombing raids, crowded in a cellar a few blocks away. Having survived these trials, their family moved to Paris shortly after the war ended in search of new beginnings. Here she met the love of her life Bernard Yves Gonet. Bernard spent a year in the United States from 1949-1950 and returned to France with dreams of living in America. Bernard and Huguette resumed dating and planned their future together, including moving to America after they married. They were wed April 16th, 1951, a marriage that would last 67 years until Bernard preceded Huguette in death May 10, 2018. They started their journey to the United States, boarding a ship in Le Harve, France, with their few possessions packed in steamer trunks, on Nov. 15th, 1951. After processing through Ellis Island, they began their travels by train to St. Louis, MO, on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 22nd, 1951. There they made their new life together, becoming US Citizens in March of 1957 and raising their children, Phil and Cindy.
After a brief return to France in 1973, they realized that their life in the United States with their children and friends (many of whom had immigrated from France as they had), was where their true happiness could be found. They returned to St. Louis to live in 1975 and remained there until the spring of 2012 when they moved to Tallassee, AL, to live next door to their son Phil and his wife Lee. There they continued their journey together with help from Phil and Lee as Bernard's dementia progressed. After Bernard's death in 2018, it became increasingly difficult for Huguette to maintain her own home alone and she eventually moved to Olathe in November of 2023 to live with her daughter Cindy and son-in-law Bob.
Huguette spent her adult life committed to family first, staying home when her children were young. She had many interests, including her love of plants and flowers which thrived in her care. During her working years, she wore several hats. As a salesperson she let her kindness thrive with clients, adored by all as the "lovely French woman." Huguette passed on her knowledge of the French language to her children and others, through private lessons, Montessori schools, and various adult-education classes in the St. Louis metro area.
Huguette enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right and many meals were timed around these two shows. She also loved to read, mainly romance novels, including one she was reading while pregnant which led to christening their daughter Cynthia, which she found to be a lovely name. In her final years she read and reread Danielle Steele novels exclusively, including her final novel, "The Mistress." Huguette was unable to complete the novel herself, but Cindy and Jessi finished reading it to her the day before her passing on Resurrection Sunday.
The family would like to thank everyone at Ascend Health for the excellent Hospice Care they provided for Huguette in her final days. Their loving care of Huguette and support of the family during this difficult time made the process of losing our mother much easier. Her lead nurse Lee and aide Michelle were gifts to our lives, yet there were many others who helped along the way that were equally supportive and kind and too numerous to mention.
Huguette will be greatly missed by her family and many friends made throughout her journey of nearly 92 years. She leaves behind her son Phil (Lee) Gonet and daughter Cindy (Bob) Achey, her four grandchildren; Jessi (Jeff) Goodwin, Patrick Gonet, Greg (Caitlin) Achey, Karl (Chris Driver) Achey and three great-grandchildren; Elliot and Finna Goodwin and Ronan Achey.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Ascend Health Hospice Care 4550 W. 109th St. Suite 210, Overland Park KS 66211 or Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd St, Olathe KS 66062.
To leave a message for Huguette's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Huguette Denise Gonet, please visit our flower store.
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