03/16/2026
My mama Martine Gaudet 's obituary and memorial info:
On February 20th, Martine Gaudet-Baum, of La Duchesse Anne fame, a woman who we thought would live to 150 just by sheer will, died after a brief, but valiant, battle with cancer at the age of 78, surrounded by loved ones. Martine was born in post-war France in the town of Savenay in a room located in her parents’ hotel/restaurant, L’Abreuvoir. Martine was a vivacious and strong-willed child and young adult, dedicating her early 20s to political activism in a country plagued with civil unrest. In 1969, proving again her independence, Martine moved across the Atlantic to New York City. Here she became a well-known contributor to the NYC restaurant scene, working in some of the best Italian and French restaurants of the time. It is also where she met her beloved husband, Bruce, by spilling a plate of pasta in his lap, as family legend goes. In 1978, Martine would make another move, this time to the Catskills, purchasing an old boarding house and turning it into one of the most unique and successful hotel/restaurants in the Hudson Valley: La Duchesse Anne. In the restaurant, Martine created a welcoming space for all, a space where some artists, musicians, and actors called home for a time. This is where Martine is most easily pictured in memories. From chasing her goat out of the dining room, to making crepes for patrons on the weekends, to accordion playing on New Year's Eve. During these years, Martine traveled extensively throughout Africa with her husband, a continent she fell in love with, where she added many more adventures to her life. In 2005, Martine tried to retire, but it didn’t take. She still had more energy to give. In 2008, she found herself the Steward of the Riverdale Yacht Club, where she would, again, create a place where she became a beloved fixture and creator of memories and good food for fourteen years. She finally retired from restaurant life in 2022 and returned to her Mount Tremper home during which time she tended to her garden and pets, spent time with friends and family, and traveled to see loved ones in France. She will be remembered for her intelligence, generosity, love for animals, the arts, and culture, humor, work-ethic, resilience, dogged determination, and being fiercely loyal to her compassionate ideals. She is survived by her children Yannick, Danielle, and Paul, her sister, Dominique, brother, Loic, niece Sibyle and her husband, Frank, stepchildren Aimee, Ashley, and Jeff, grandchildren, and many other friends and family too numerous to count, all of whom will miss her dearly. She is predeceased by her adored husband, Bruce, and her dear sister, Marie-Andree. A memorial and celebration of her life will be held on Sunday March 29th at The Phoenician, Main Street, Phoenicia, NY starting at 2:00pm with eulogy by her loved ones at 3:00pm. We welcome you to come and share your stories.
