1917 – 2003

LEWISTON – Irene Gagne Bisson, 86, of 100 Campus Ave., Lewiston, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 6, at her residence.

She was born in St. Ephreme, P.Q., on March 10, 1917, the daughter of Joseph and Desneiges (Bolduc) Champagne and had been a resident of this community since 1924. She was employed as a fancy stitcher in the local shoe industry until her retirement in 1979.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and also a former member of the Parish Council, the french choir which also sang at funeral masses. She belonged to Les Dames de Ste. Anne of Holy Family Parish, a past president of both the Lewiston Senior Citizens and of the Meadowview Residents Association, a member of La Survivance Francaise. In the Lewiston Bicentennial Play “A New Home” which played in 1995-1996, she played the part of “Madeleine”.

She and her husband Joseph Bisson were bestowed the C’est Ci Bon Festival Memere & Pepere Award. Mrs. Bisson was a very selfless and giving person who enjoyed sewing, crafts, crocheting, playing cards, traveling and mostly spending time with her children and their families. On Oct. 13, 1937 she married Alfred Gagne and who died on Dec. 3, 1982. She then married Joseph J. Bisson on Sept. 14, 1984 and who died on Oct. 5, 1996.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph Raymond Gagne and his wife Be, and Roger Gagne and Malika Lemyasser both of Auburn; three daughters, Aline Caron and her husband Richard of Rochester, N.H., Yvette LaChapelle and her husband Paul of Lewiston and Rose Rogalla and her husband John of Marseilles, Ill.; one stepson, Lionel Bisson of Old Orchard Beach; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one on the way; one great-great-grandchild; several stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one stepson, Donald Bisson; by 12 sisters; and five brothers.

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