Cecile F. (Allard) Shank

On May 21, 2024, Cecile F. Shank, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother said goodbye to her loving family and released the hand of the man she has loved for more than 34 years, her beloved husband Harry Shank, to begin her journey into heaven to take hold of the hand of the man she has missed for more than 53 years, her loving father Joseph W. Allard. Her life or dedication, hard work and faith securing her the comfort of God's grace and the joy of a great family reunion.

Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, she was one of four children and the loving daughter of her wonderful parents, the late Joseph W. and Felixina (Dubois) Allard.

Following her years of education where she mastered and excelled in secretarial services, she embarked on her business career at the Woonsocket Title Company. A marriage would follow and the business of business would take a back row to the business of being a mom. The following 11 years would give rise to the birth of four children who, with her strength, efficiency and love navigated being the best mom she could be. An expert in frugality and a whiz in the kitchen she would take the "black roasting pan" that every family possessed in the 60s, 70s, and 80s and create amazing meals that today we still talk about and wonder "how did she do that?" Once her "little ones" were no longer little, she returned to the business world to again share with a new venture her amazing skills of efficiency and organization.

Her years at Catholic Social Services in Woonsocket were filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment and pride. Her late Uncle, Father Henry Crepeau, PhD, was a founder of that organization. The organization assisted many with adoption and marital counseling and her task was to make certain that every document was prepared with precision and expediency; she never failed in her assignments. Additionally, her children were pretty fortunate as well as we ran to her to "type up" every term paper, every report, every presentation which she deftly accomplished on her IBM Selectric typewriter!

Her retirement from the agency opened the door to perhaps her best experience; the meeting of her future husband Harry. Together they traveled the country, sailed on cruises, visited family in Alaska, found joy in holding hands, a simple walk or playing shuffleboard with passion and conviction. Think of it as curling on land! For more than 25 years they did the "snow bird" routine and found great joy in their winter home in Nalcrest, Florida. When health reasons and mobility issues became common place, they retuned to Woonsocket where they would enjoy many years of independence and happiness. A survivor of three different cancers, Cecile never complained about those ailments; she was above all incredibly private. In fact, we now live in fear of a "lightning strike" for simply sharing these details! Throughout all of life's joys and challenges, she held dear to her faith. The church was her strength and we all felt that strength if we happen to miss mass!

She is survived by her loving and grateful family: In addition to her amazing husband, she leaves behind her son Donald Crepeau who has lived with her his entire life and when mom became weak and age took its toll, Donald became strong; Dennis Crepeau and his wife Karen of Altona, NY; Michael Crepeau and his wife, Jeannie Vasconcellos of North Smithfield and Karen (Crepeau) Bell and her husband Paul of Greene Rhode Island. Her step-children Kevin Shank and his wife Christine of Florida; Kregg Shank and his wife Maria of West Greenwich; Karen (Shank) Bookbinder of Coventry and Kathy (Shank) Medeiros and her husband Dennis of Ossipee, New Hampshire. In addition to numerous nieces and nephews, she enjoyed the joy of 6 grandchildren; James, Christopher, Catherine, John, Rachel and Danielle as well as many step grandchildren, great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. While we list four children as her own, she actually had six. Her loving nephew Marcel made weekly pilgrimages to visit "Uncle Harry and Ma tante Cecile" with great stories, Poland Bottled water and a roasted chicken. That combination always had them laughing. Her six child was Tina Fiske. What started out as mom helping a young woman with "short-hand" and secretarial skills became a lifelong friendship approaching 50 years. Tina's frequent visits always ended with a spirited game of "whist" and regardless who won, the smile she brought to mom was always followed with "another game?" Her welcoming committee not only includes her parents but her siblings Roland Allard, Therese Boucher and Irene Cournoyer. Their spouses are there as well as is her daughter-in-law, Michele Crepeau.

Our family is numbed by her passing yet inspired by her life and her determination. If she could share a pearl of wisdom, it would be to "love your family".

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 beginning with visitation at 9:30 AM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main Street, Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM in St. Joseph's Church, 1200 Mendon Road, Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 310 Wrentham Road, Bellingham, Massachusetts. As an alternative to flowers, your consideration to a memorial contribution to Aging Well Inc., (the Senior Citizens Center) 84 Social Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895 would be appreciated and put to great use.

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