Obituary of Carmelle Hay

Carmelle Hay passed away peacefully, April 7, 2025, in Ottawa, at the age of 94. Carmelle was born Carmelle Simonne Goguen in Cocagne, New Brunswick, on April 30, 1930 to the late Robert A. Goguen and the late Delina Goguen (neé Robichaud).

Carmelle is predeceased by her husband Hamilton Bruce Hay, sisters Bernadette Bastarache (Néri) and Simonne Boucher (late Tilman), brothers Jean-Guy (Lauria) and Stephen Hay. She is survived by her sister Roberta Arseneau (late Emery) of Moncton, New Brunswick and her brother Paul (Irène) of Lewisville, New Brunswick, and Irene and Alex Hay of Ottawa, Ontario and Joanne Hay of Kingman, Alberta.

Carmelle loved the summers on the farm now known as “La Fleur du Pommier” in New Brunswick and remembered fondly the toboggan hill on a neighbour’s farm, and relatives showing up in horse-drawn sleighs when she was home from the convent school at Christmas. She worked in Moncton and up North, before settling in Ottawa and working for many years for the Federal Government in the Public Works Department on Parliament Hill. She loved working in the garden, cooking big family meals during the holidays, going on cruises, and watching the Live from the Met operas. Later in life, she enjoyed playing bingo and being the staff favourite at Carlingview Manor in Ottawa. Special thanks to the amazing staff at the Carlingview Manor in Ottawa, for their care in her final years.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road. A Celebration of Life will follow in the Pinecrest Reception Centre. Online condolences may be made at colefuneralservices.com.