Antoinette Alice (Rivard) Drouart

Antoinette Alice (Rivard) Drouart, 72, died peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire endowed with the sacraments of the Church. She was born on August 8, 1952, in Claremont, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Mathieu Rivard and Marie-Gloire “Gloria” (Joyal) Rivard.

She was the devoted wife of Eric Drouart, with whom she shared a loving marriage. They were married on June 9, 1975, in Claremont, NH.

Antoinette was dual citizen of both France and the United States. She graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont, before earning a Bachelor of Arts in French at Rivier University, including a junior year abroad at La Sorbonne. She later earned her Master of Arts in Teaching French from Rivier. Her career included work as a translator for New York Life and UN African Aid Agencies. She was also the proud owner of Ikebana Flower Shop, a teacher of Japanese flower arranging, and a dedicated member of the Sogetsu Ikebana School of Japan, the Sogetsu Massachusetts Branch, and the Ikebana International Boston Chapter. Additionally, she served as a board member of Club Richelieu de Nashua.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Antoinette was a parishioner of St. Christopher Church in Nashua. Her compassion, generosity, and wit left a lasting impact on her family and friends. She was passionate about building relationships and creating meaningful connections with those around her. She was a devoted caregiver to her parents and a steadfast supporter of her two sisters. She cherished her keeshond dogs, especially Heart.

Antoinette loved traveling abroad, having lived in Canada, Japan, France, and the United States with her family. She also enjoyed live performing arts, classical ballet, and classical music concerts, as well as visiting art museums. A gifted cook, seamstress, knitter, and weaver, she learned many of these skills from her maternal grandmother.

Her family expresses deep gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Saint Joseph Oncology Center, particularly Dr. Voltz, Dr. Batt, and nurses Annah, Katie, and Robin, as well as Ann and Jessica of Pathways, and Vanessa of Helping Hands, and the staff at Merrimack Community Hospice House.

Antoinette is predeceased by her sister Patricia Rivard-Dorman.

She is survived by her husband, Eric Drouart; their children, Albert-Olivier Drouart and his wife Julia Lee, and Alexandra Drouart-Conrad. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Eric, Thibault, Damien, Christian, and Nathan.

Antoinette saw beauty everywhere and in everyone because of her great love for God who is love and portrays beauty in all. “She had love that exhumed love first like the flowers do with no discrimination whatsoever. Her flower classes taught us of that love. Lord receive Antoinette in the eternity of your love and draw us there to you, Lord.” -Sr. Claire Provost, pm.

SERVICES: No visiting hours will be held. A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday January 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Christopher Parish, 62 Manchester St, Nashua, NH 03064.

Family and friends are invited to attend. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution in memory of Antoinette to the Merrimack Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054.

The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua, has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401). “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.