Ann Marie (Ford) Goulet

Ann Marie Ford was born in Boston on September 23, 1928. Ann was the oldest of eleven children of James E and Anna M (Kinney) Ford.  She lived in Watertown her entire life until health issues required her to move into an assisted living in Reading, to be near her sister. However, she always missed her beloved home on Marshall Street that she purchased over 70 years ago with her husband Ray. Ann passed away on Friday evening, December 16, 2022, at the age of 94.

Ann’s cousin, Al Manning, introduced Ann to Ray Goulet during her Junior year of high school. They went to the Junior prom together and, as fate would have it, that night turned out to be the beginning of their many years together. They were married in St Patrick’s Church on October 12, 1949. Ray passed away just five days before their 68^th wedding anniversary.

Ann attended Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s grammar schools and Watertown High School, where she graduated with the class of 1946.

Ann had a long and successful career with AT&T starting when she was a senior in high school. She began her career at the Western Electric Building in East Watertown and eventually transferred to their Boston office.  She held several positions with the phone company before retiring after nearly forty years of service.

While Ann worked full-time with the phone company and Ray worked as an insurance agent with John Hancock, they decided to pursue their love of magic. This love allowed them to travel all over the U.S. and Europe. They performed in many venues, including shows on cross-Atlantic trips on the Queen Elizabeth. Eventually, they decided to settle down, buying a block of stores on Spring St. in Watertown. For many years, they owned and operated the popular Magic Art Studio and Mini Museum, the latter of which housed their extensive magic collection.  

Ann’s selflessness and giving spirit were present throughout her life. When Ann’s mother, Anna M. Ford passed away in 1971, Ann moved her father, James E. Ford, in with her and Ray. Ann devoted herself to caring for her father for the next eight years until he passed away in 1979. Ann’s house was the gathering spot for Ann’s large, extended family all of whom enjoyed the summer sun by the pool, played games of cards on the patio and challenged each other to friendly games of pool in the backyard pool house. Many wonderful memories were made at these annual “family reunions.” Ann also enjoyed hosting a lovely Christmas brunch every year for her siblings. She often gifted her guests with beautiful poinsettias meant to adorn their homes during the holiday season.

Ann leaves many friends and family, including her sisters Joan Cappellucci (late John), Pauline Bales (late Frank), Eileen St. Onge (late Al), Marion Busa (Jimmy) and (late Scott Fulton), Eleanor Rooney (Bill) and brother Jack Ford (Fran). Ann is pre-deceased by her brothers James Ford, Jr., and Robert E. Ford (Helen) and sisters Claire Butler (late Ray) and Janet Studley (Bill). Ann also leaves her devoted brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Tanya Joaquim, as well as Manuel Joaquim and Richard (Nancy) Joaquim. In addition, “Auntie Ree,” as she was fondly known, was a devoted and much-loved aunt and godmother to her many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.  Ann had many close friends whom she kept in contact with throughout the years, including her very dear friend, Dave Cressey, who visited every Saturday morning with coffee and her favorite donut.

Her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews have long considered Ann the matriarch of their very large family. Her loss is, and will continue to be, deeply felt by all.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ann's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, December 26^th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Waltham.

A broadcast (and recording) will be available at my.gather.app/remember/ann-goulet on Tuesday, December 27th beginning at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org