1910 – 2003

LEWISTON – Blanche-Marie Proulx Cloutier passed away on Tuesday, May 20, into the everlasting peace of our Lord Jesus, surrounded by the love and care of her devoted family.

She was born in St. Leon de Val-Racine in the Province of Quebec, Canada on Aug. 2, 1910. She grew up with an older brother, Aimee, three older sisters, Lea, Diana and Beatrice and two younger brothers, Gedeon and Emile. Her parents, Francis and Claudia (Grenier) Proulx, provided the family a loving rural Christian family environment.

At the age of 18 and having received a teaching certificate as school instructor, she taught school in her nearby community in a one-room school, teaching all elementary grades for a period of 10 years. There were many stories told over the years from former pupils at reunions of her abilities to take on and overcome difficult situations with can-do and positive outlook.

Following the unexpected and tragic death of her older brother, with whom she much enjoyed fishing and hunting, she made the decision to leave Canada and start a new life in Lewiston. She lived for a short while with the family of her mother’s second cousin, Thomas Grenier of Lewiston. She arrived on July 4, 1938 and said that fireworks were going off all day until late evening.

Soon after, she worked at the Bates Hill Mill complex on Canal Street. During the following year, she met and married Rudolphe Cloutier of Lewiston, whom she loved and cherished. They were married at St. Mary’s Church on May 29, 1940. Rudolphe passed away on July 17, 2000, at the wonderful age of 95. They had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Through the years, raising a family of four girls and two younger boys, she instilled in all of them a strong sense of spirituality, hard work and love of family. She kept the fabric of her family secure and worked very hard to help maintain the family’s financial security.

Early on, she had a cleaning business with clients including private homes, Holy Cross Church Rectory, former governor and senator Edmond Muskie’s office and others. She also sold fruits and vegetables from her oversize garden. Later in life, she became a successful Avon sales representative and was well known throughout her community.

She was proud of her Franco-American heritage and enjoyed the many festivals throughout Maine during the summer and fall months. She enjoyed camping with all her family and made every minute an adventure. She also had a compassionate heart to strangers. Many times, she would visit new and old neighbors bringing them fresh vegetables and would often take her young children to visit the elderly at Marcotte Home. She was also a very active member of the Ladies of the Rosary Society, Les Dames de Ste. Anne, the L-A Cursillo Chapter and La Renconte.

She lived all of her married life at 33 Beckett Street in Lewiston and was well cared for during good times and subsequent illness by members of her family. She is sadly missed by everyone, but her strong sense of self, will always be part of those she touched.

She is leaving behind all of her children which include Jacqueline Gendron of Lewiston, Theresa Harris of Lewiston, Georgette Chartier of Connecticut and Lewiston, Helene Jeffery of Clarkesville, Ind., Francis Cloutier of Portland and Freeport and Raymond Cloutier of Lewiston; she also leaves behind 14 loving grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Having been a teacher early in her career, together with her strong sense of family values, one of her greatest gifts to her family has been how to relate to life’s challenges and disappointments; not dwelling too seriously and long on the hurts and negatives that are part of everyone’s lives; to forgive mostly and to move beyond guilt, blame and criticism; importantly, to move beyond and apply those very real lessons of life to make a better tomorrow for everyone. And for those lessons by her example and faith, we are so grateful and joyous.

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