Mimi & Jacques’ Bon Voyage

Vive la Famille! April 16

The largest family reunion of the Boyer Chauveau clan since the 80th birthday of Mamonne in 1986 took place at Golf des Yvelines about 30 miles west of Paris. It was remarkable for the 40 people who showed up with members of each of Mamonne’s children represented. She was and still remains the matriarch whose spirit brought us all together.

Equally remarkable was the location, the meal, the sunny weather and the stories we told. Thanks to cousins Eric Continsoux and Elisabeth Albert’s planning the afternoon was as memorable as we could have imagined. Everyone had their stories of Mamonne as we celebrated her 117th birthday with reunions of families some of whom hadn’t seen each other in almost 30 years. With eight of the 15 surviving first cousins in attendance there was a common theme to all the stories as each person told the tales of their families and of the remarkable impact Mamonne had in our lives and of her quirks that made her memorable.

• When difficulty hit our young lives she unequivocably rushed to our aid. I certainly felt that on more than one occasion.

• When she made her rounds of visits it was a joyous event we each looked forward to.

• Her driving skills were at best suspect as keeping an eye on the road wasn’t a priority especially if she was searching for a cigarette.

• Her penchant for leaving a cigarette in her mouth until the ash was as long as the cigarette and crumbled to the ground were legendary, if not dangerous.

• Her love of swimming- and tanning without a top regardless of temperature.

• Her insistence that we look at each and every picture of each and every family member when she visited.

• Her required scrappiness as a widow who had to support her five children during World War II working as a bar maid before elevating to eventually running the tea room at La Samaritaine, a large department store in Paris.

It’s hard to put into words the inspiration she had in so many as we her 140 descendents still vividly remember her style, personality, charm and complete love for family - especially those of us lucky enough to call her our grandmother Mamonne.

As family we are all sharing our pictures on WhatsApp, the preferred app for texting in Europe and a future post will include some of those. For now, I’ll leave this emotion filled day with a picture sent by my uncle Marc Boyer of another happy day in about 1934. Left to right it’s my Mom Nicole, my grandfather Marcel, my aunt Colette, my grandmother Yvonne (Mamonne), my aunt Françoise (Minou) and my uncle Philippe.

Vive la Famille! ❤️