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Rachel Mari-Anna Dube (Richard)
1918 - 2009
Affectionately known to the RCN as Mama Camille
The information on this page is courtesy of Richard Dube, son of Rachel Dube
Obituary of Rachel Dube (Momma Camille)
DUBE (nee Richard), Rachel Mari-Anna (03 Sep 1918 - 22 May 2009) - (Momma Camille) 90 Years Old. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rachel Dubé on May 22, 2009. Rachel was born on September 3, 1918, in St. Pascal Corte Kamouraska, Que. In 1940, Rachel traveled to Halifax where she taught French, learned English, and met her husband Camille Dubé. She was the proud owner of Camille's Fish & Chips which she ran from 1948 to 1984. She was known as the woman who fed the fleet and was fondly referred to as Momma Camille. She will be remembered for her great food, gracious hospitality, and devoted kindness to the countless sailors and Haligonians who passed through Camille's. Predeceased by her loving husband, Camille Dubé,and her dear son Terrence Dubé. Dear and loving mother of daughter-in-law, Carol Dubé, Richard (Marnie) Dubé, Marlene (David) Hoffman, Norman (LeeAnn Weeks) Dubé, and Dennis (Alberta) Dubé. She will be sadly missed by her 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and her many nieces, nephews and friends in Quebec and Halifax. The family wish to express a special and sincere thank you to the nurses and staff of Parkstone Nursing Home (Enhanced Care) for their kindness and excellent care. Visitation will be held in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St. today from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral to be held in Saint Mary's Basilica on Tuesday, May 26 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Feed Nova Scotia. Condolences may be sent to 9 Melville Ave, Halifax, B3P 1C9.
Article from the Trident Magazine, May 2009
Farewell to the sailors' friend - By Virginia Beaton Trident staff
She was the lady who fed the fleet. Rachel Dubé, the former owner of Camille's Fish & Chips restaurant on Barrington St., died in Halifax on May 22, 2009 at age 90. Fondly known as Momma Camille, Mrs. Dubé was the owner of Camille's from 1948 to 1984. For many years, her restaurant, located a stone's throw from HMC Dockyard and Stadacona, was a favourite stopover for sailors looking for fast, tasty food at reasonable prices. CPO2 Herman Harris first came to Halifax in 1979 and remembers that as young sailors in the fleet, "We were living onboard the ships. Camille's Fish and Chips was a mainstay for us." While standing the watch, sailors would send someone to Camille's to pick up their food orders, according to CPO2 Harris. The restaurant's décor was unpretentious, he noted. "But you'd see all sorts of people there. Businessmen who worked downtown would come there for Momma Camille's seafood chowder. Everybody was crazy about that chowder." Momma Camille was known for her kindness to the Navy. "I saw sailors walk into her place at closing time and she'd stay open to feed them," stated CPO2 Harris. She often fed them even when they had no money, waiting until the next payday to settle their bills. Occasionally, Momma Camille would allow a sailor who had overindulged to sleep it off on the premises, so he wouldn't get into disciplinary trouble by returning in that state to the fleet. Even after he moved to Dartmouth, CPO2 Harris brought his family to Camille's. "It was always a treat to go there." In an email to Trident, CPO1 Paul Stonier, who for many years wrote a Trident food column called Stoney's Kitchen, stated "I was in Halifax for the last few years she owned the shop, and so I remember her. I was one of many who availed themselves of her generosity and had a meal with no money and just a promise to return on payday to settle up. No one that I know of ever stiffed her." Momma Camille was born Rachel Richard in St. Pascal Corte, Kamouraska, Québec in 1918. In 1940, she came to Halifax to teach French, eventually meeting and marrying Camille Dubé. The couple had five children. Mrs. Dubé's funeral took place at Saint Mary's Basilica on Tuesday, May 26. According to CPO2 Harris, "I know that in all the dealings I had with her, I never heard her say a nasty thing to anyone and we all treated her with respect. She looked out for many of us military people over her many years, and a great lady will be missed."
Article in Atlantic C&PO's Newsletter, Jun 2009
DUBE (Richard), Rachel Mari-Anna (Momma Camille) - 90 Years Old. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rachel Dubé on May 22, 2009. Rachel was born on September 3, 1918, in St. Pascal Corte Kamouraska, Que. In 1940, Rachel traveled to Halifax where she taught French, learned English, and met her husband Camille Dubé. She was the proud owner of Camille's Fish & Chips which she ran from 1948 to 1984. She was known as the woman who fed the fleet and was fondly referred to as Momma Camille. She will be remembered for her great food, gracious hospitality, and devoted kindness to the countless sailors and Haligonians who passed through Camille's. All debts incurred by hungry sailors on the way home to their ships are forgiven.
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