Madawaska, Maine - Rella (Caron) Daigle born in St. Leonard, New Brunswick, Fourche-a-Clark, has left us on April 13, 2025. Born to Pascal and Alma (Tousaint) Caron, her story is truly one of Cinderella.

She was born on August 24, 1927, in the generation of "hard work never killed anyone." She started work at an early age, which included cleaning, babysitting, cooking, gardening, and tending to others. She didn't always like it, which helped build her character. Her father died on her 16th birthday, causing Rella to leave school which she loved attending. She worked at the Sanatorium in Presque Isle during the tuberculosis break out. Serving others is what she did best. Most of her earnings were sent home to care for the family. She worked at the National Hotel in Madawaska, where she loved to waitress and bartend. She was good at it and made many friends and tips there. This is also where she met her husband, Leo "June" J. Daigle Jr. They loved to dance together. She made a special black dress that she wore to the sporting club to entice June. To her disappointment, he wore gum rubbers and a buffalo plaid shirt. But they fell in love. She was chosen to be Madawaska's first queen, a title that she wore with pride. She went on to compete at the Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield. Leo and Rella married on February 21, 1950, and purchased a failing propane business. Working together, they took that business and turned it into a successful appliance store, Daigle's Suburban Utility Gas Service. Her love of serving others grew. In the sixties, they added furniture and the store grew and so did her family, now with three children, David, Kathleen, and Glenn. Hard work and long hours were common, but their work paid off. Rella was a good decorator and had excellent taste. The store was always well decorated for all the holiday's. She made sure that all furniture and setting were well accessorized and matching. She was a very talented artist, leaving the family with many paintings she painted. Christmas gifts were adorned with pine, cedar, bows, ribbon, and glitter. The store was her life, working six days a week well into her 80s. She worked hard and she played hard. Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and boating were a few of the family traditions. Their love of snowmobiling, grew into another family business. She enjoyed making sure people were well dressed and not cold. These last ten years have been difficult for our Cinderella. Shingles took one eye and ear. The family traveled her to Presque Isle often for her glaucoma. She was always well organized with taking her drops. Even though her vision was going bad, she always stayed positive even when she had setbacks.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Leo "June" J. Daigle Jr.; her son, David Daigle; her grandson, Kevin Daigle; and seven siblings, Cecile Cyr (Lucien), Joseph (Marie May), Leonard, Stella Jandreau (Alphy), Jeannette Pelletier (Tony), Bernard, Martin (Theresa). She is survived by two sisters, Della Morneault and her husband, James, of Manchester, CT, Simon Saucier and her husband, Norman, of The Villages, FL; daughter-in-law, Diane Daigle of Madawaska; one daughter, Katheleen Cyr and her husband, Paul, of Madawaska; one son, Glenn Daigle and his wife, Dianne, of Madawaska; her beloved grandchildren, Ben Cyr and his wife, Kate, Jessica Daigle and her companion, Jason, Alex Daigle, Jennifer Collin and her husband, Mike, Bryan Daigle and his wife, Katie, Davey Daigle and his wife, Deanne, and Craig Daigle and his wife, Kelly; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Relatives and friends may offer their condolences at Lajoie Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. There will be no visiting hours Wednesday morning before the Mass. For online condolences, please visit lajoiefuneralhome.com.