Vernon, VT – Céline Marie-Thérèse Françoise Janelle MacDougall was born June 2, 1932 in Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, Québec to Eveline (Rajotte) and Elphége Janelle. She died peacefully at age 94 on Oct. 24, 2026 in Vernon, VT, surrounded by loved ones.
Céline grew up on a farm in a remarkably musical family and earned her music degree at the Université de Montréal (Nicolet). She married Robert “Bruce” MacDougall, also a professional musician, in 1960 and they had four children between 1961 and 1970 in both Québec City and New York State. They also welcomed niece Genevieve Janelle into their household. Céline and Bruce shared 25 wonderful years before Bruce succumbed to cancer.
Céline was a music educator, French teacher, translator, and dedicated community member. She helped launch a food co-op in Plattsburgh, NY, and offered free translation services for French-speaking African refugees. She advocated on behalf of community members experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health challenges. Céline was always on the go: hiking, biking, roller-blading, skiing, snowshoeing, and taking high-octane daily walks.
Following a dementia diagnosis, Céline moved to Greenfield, MA in 2016 to be near her daughter and, despite health challenges, delighted in being an active grandmother, volunteering with Stone Soup Cafe, and singing with the Franklin County Community Chorus. In 2022, Céline moved to the Vernon Green Nursing Home (VT), where her dignity was preserved by the deeply caring B-Wing staff.
Survivors include her daughter, Eveline of Greenfield, MA, who managed Céline’s care; sons Andrew of Plattsburgh, NY; Robert (Jennifer Skinnon) of Dorchester, MA; and Ian of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Céline leaves five grandchildren: Wesley, Charles, Gillis, Alex, and Owen. Cherished sister-in-law Denise Fluet Janelle is the sole survivor of their generation. Céline is also survived by umpteen nieces and nephews, mostly in Québec, as well as family-of-choice, including Renée Ford, John H. Thompson, and Dorothea Sotiros. In addition to her husband, Céline was predeceased by her five sisters and three brothers: Henriette, Gertrude, Annette, Pauline, Madeleine, Philippe, Fernand, and Jean-Jacques. Her close friend Mary Ellen Preston predeceased her earlier this year.
Plans for memorial gatherings in western MA, northern NY, and southern Québec are not finalized, but Céline will be celebrated by her large, loving tribe in places she loved. Anyone wishing to honor her memory is encouraged to get outdoors, make music, and love extravagantly.
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