Florence Marie Beausoleil, of Hopewell Junction NY, passed away peacefully in her home of 42 years on November 18, 2015 after an extended illness. She was 86 years old. Bill Beausoleil, her husband of 60 years and her primary caregiver for the last five, was at her side.

Florence was born on May 14, 1929 in Franklin, Connecticut to Vincent and Pauline Majchier. Growing up in the Catholic faith on a 200 acre dairy farm, Florence was instilled the values of hard work and dedication to God and family from her parents and extended Polish community. She graduated from Norwich Academy in 1947 as the fastest stenographer in the area. Her administrative skills led her to become the personal assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of Connecticut. It was at the University where she met Bill who would change the course of life for this farm girl forever. Florence was in line to work for the President of the University when she chose to follow Bill to Binghamton, NY in support of his career at IBM. They were married on September 10, 1955 in Lebanon, Connecticut.

Theirs was an unprecedented love story that spanned six decades. She and Bill moved to the Poughkeepsie area in 1960 where Florence raised six children while continuing to dedicate herself to her husband's career. Family life was centered on her children's activities from leading 4-H Club, raising horses, cheering support at the many basketball, softball, and soccer games, to teaching religious education at St. Columba for twelve years. And on occasion would pile them all into the family station wagon for camping trips from Florida to Lake George. Neighbors and friends will remember her opening her home for many Christmas and summer block parties. On one occasion, she was host to members of the Metropolitan Opera. In the 1990s Florence became owner and innkeeper of the Bykenhulle House Bed and Breakfast, an 1841 historic site in the Hudson Valley.

Florence is survived by husband Bill; her children Valerie (Dom) Rossi, William F. Beausoleil Jr., Ellen Beausoleil (Michael Brand), Mary (Tom) Griffin, Jacqueline (Steve) Lamando; sixteen grandchildren; her sister Irene (Ray) Gantick; and her dedicated home health aide Ligia Plain. She was pre-deceased by her brother Vincent (Susan) Majchier; and her beloved son Charlie (1967-1982).

A wake will be held at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY from 11:30am to 1:00pm on Saturday, November 21st. A funeral mass will immediately follow at 1:30pm at The Church of Saint Denis, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org. For driving directions, online condolences, and memorial donations, please visit Florence's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.