The St. Dominique Bowling League bid a fond farewell to its longest-standing member, Claire Marleau on April 10, as the 86-year-old bowled her final frames.
Marleau has been a member of the league since its inception 52 years ago and has played every year with her team "Happy Gang" since 1966.
Adored by her fellow league members, Claire and her husband of 66 years, Rene were both members of the league since it got its start. Rene retired from bowling two years ago, and on Tuesday, April, 10, Claire called it a career.
The 86-year-old has lived in Sudbury her entire life and says that the friendships she gained through the bowling league are ones that she will cherish forever.
"These are the nicest people I could ever want to bowl with," said Marleau. "Even though we're competing against each other, everyone is always out to have fun and compliments and encourages each other."
Claire and her husband hold the reputation as the comedians of the league, always cracking jokes and keeping things light on the lanes.
"We're going to miss her bubbly personality and her sense of humour," said Aline Lemoyne, league president. "She got everyone in here praying to St. Jude for some help from above when they were bowling."
The St. Dominique Bowling League started with 20 teams and is now home to eight teams total, some women's and some mixed. While the numbers have shrunk over the years, Marleau says that it's created a very close-knit group that has shared many great times together.
"I'm going to miss them all like you wouldn't believe. Tuesdays were the happiest nights of the week for me, I always looked forward to coming out and seeing everyone," said Marleau.
Tuesday, April 10 was an overwhelming evening for Marleau, who had tears welling up in her eyes as she recalled highlights of more than half a century with the league. Marleau spoke of a 400-game she rolled (450 is a perfect game in 5-pin bowling), pulling pranks on other bowlers, late nights on the lanes over drinks and food, but above all else, Marleau remembers the camaraderie over the competition.
"I always loved our Halloween parties where everyone bowled in costumes. One year someone came dressed as a chicken, and there were some other great costumes that I don't know if I can talk about," she laughed.
"Our banquets were so much fun too, it's the people who make it a great league. For me, this is the best league in the world."
While she may be hanging up her bowling shoes, Claire says she's not planning on staying away from the league's home at Plaza Bowl.
"I'll still come by to see them," said Marleau. "These are my friends, I can't stay away from them for too long."
