HINGHAM – Gwendolen Breault, 84, of Hingham, formerly of Marion died Monday, December 5, 2022 at Bridges by EPOCH in Hingham.

Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Reuben E. and Sarah L. (Smith) Chase. She worked for the U. S. Postal Service as both a postal clerk and a postmistress in Hopkinton, RI.

Gwen was an excellent baker and cook who made elaborate birthday cakes and enjoyed making her family happy with special meals for all occasions. Gwen made a box of special Christmas cookies each year for every member of the family, which they started to anticipate again after they had eaten the last cookie! She made more than enough pies for holidays and was known to get up in the middle of the night for an extra helping.

Knitting was a constant throughout her life and you could always count on a hat and scarf among your Christmas gifts. She made colorful afghans for the family and especially liked to knit blankets and outfits for babies.

Gwen was very happy when the weather turned warm as she thoroughly enjoyed puttering in her garden. She loved to look through seed catalogs in the winter, just as her mother and father did to supply their greenhouse business every spring. Her entire yard was filled with colorful flowers, bushes and trees, where she loved to sit and read a book or gather with family.

Travel was a passion for Gwen. She loved to travel with family and friends to unique places in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Her favorite trip was in her own backyard where she was able to go to the top of the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge as a Cape Cod Seashore volunteer.

Being at the ocean was a great thrill for Gwen. Silvershell Beach in Marion was her playground as a child, and she was a frequent visitor there over her lifetime. She liked to bring an ice cream cone to Mass. Maritime Academy and watch the boats navigate the canal. Later in life she liked to sit at Hull Gut in Hull to watch the tankers and boats go by. She kept up with activities in the canal and Martha’s Vineyard by watching their video cams online.

Family was the center of Gwen’s life and there was nothing she loved more than being with them for picnics at the canal, Fourth of July parades in Bristol, RI, fishing trips in and around Buzzards Bay, visiting her grandchildren in the Midwest, roasting marshmallows, and laughing by the fire in New Hampshire, making cookies with her young grandchildren in Florida and later in life, video chats with family members.

Gwen is survived by her children, Michael T. Breault and the late Mary Breault of St. Louis, MO; Laura E. Breault of Hull, MA; Kathleen M. Dunn and the late Kevin Dunn of Central Falls, RI; Douglas M. and Debra Breault of Warner, NH; and Gregory P. and Cristina Breault of Longwood, FL and her grandchildren, Christopher, Amelia, Douglas, Rachel, Shannon, Jack, Davy, Bella, Hunter and Chloe Breault. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, the late Stephen and Nancy Chase.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery in Marion, MA.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Bridges by Epoch in Hingham, MA as they provided care for their mother when she needed it the most. Ascend Hospice social workers, counselors and nurses gave our mother the kind and compassionate care she deserved in her final months. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Ascend Hospice, 352 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01604.

Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com