Estelle (Tardif) Bulger

Estelle (Tardif) Bulger, age 89, recently of Kennebunk, Maine, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away on December 21, 2022.

Twelfth of the late Alcide and Eugenie (Ouelette) Tardif’s eighteen children, Estelle was born in Van Buren, Maine, July 27, 1933. She is survived by her sisters Theresa Ouilette, Joanne Wolske, and Trisha Fowler, and many nieces and nephews.

Estelle married Joseph E. Bulger on September 5, 1955. They settled in Wilmington, where they raised their four children, and where she was a devoted and devout communicant of St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church.

For many years, she, a very talented seamstress, operated her business, Draperies by Estelle, from her home.  She took great pride in her work, and her passion for the Red Sox was equally legendary. She volunteered at AIM in Wilmington, brightening the days of everyone she served and served alongside.

Estelle and her late husband purchased her parents’ family compound in Sinclair, Maine. There her children, grandchildren, and their children too have forged many sweet summer memories in her cottage, affectionately and appropriately named “Sans Souci,” or “Without Worry.” 

Estelle was adored by son Joseph and his wife Susan of New Ipswich, NH; son Richard and his wife Hanna of South Berwick, ME; daughter Michelle and her late husband David Lessing of Kennebunk, ME; and son Brian and his wife Susan of Bradford, MA. She was lovingly called both “Gremere” and “Meme” by grandchildren Amanda Anderson, Benjamin, Joshua, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Gunnery Sergeant Samuel, Emily, Zachary, Jeremy, and Eliza Bulger; Olivia and her husband Nick Kierstead, and Ryan Bulger; Alicia, Jaclyn and her husband Jonathan Benson, Maxwell, and Meredith Lessing; and Tyler and McKenzie Bulger, and Erik and Victoria Benson. Missing dearly their great grandmother’s infectious laughter and hugs are: Adele and Henry Anderson; Samuel Bulger; Alexander and Emma Bulger; Emerson and Elise Bulger; Charles and Grant Bulger; and Jonathan and Evelyn Benson.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Tuesday, December 27th from 9:30-11:15 a.m. immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 11:30 a.m.  Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Memorial donations in Estelle’s name may be made to the Wilmington Senior Center, 15 School Street, Wilmington, MA  01887.