1940-2003

LEWISTON – Doreen R. LaBrie, 62, of 55 Gina St., Lewiston, died unexpectedly after a long illness Monday, June 2, in her sleep. She suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1995 and 1996, which rendered her totally disabled.

Born in Waterville Sept. 16, 1940, the daughter of Gerard and Cecile (Audet) LaBrie, she graduated from St. Joseph’s School in Lewiston in 1955 and Lewiston High School in 1959.

At a very young age, she took considerable interest in assisting the priests at St. Joseph’s Rectory in Lewiston. After graduating from high school, the Diocesan priests and Sisters of Mercy left an indelible example to encourage Doreen to pursue her faith in ministering to others. On Sept. 23, 1959, she entered the convent of the Maine Sisters of Mercy in Portland. During her formation, she also graduated from St. Joseph’s College, with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.

She taught in several Diocesan elementary schools including St. Dominic and St. Joseph in Portland, St. Teresa’s in Brewer, St. Mary’s in Houlton, St. Mary’s in Orono and St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s in Lewiston. She ministered in Presque Isle, the Native American Reservation on Indian Island, Old Town and Peter Dana Point, Indian Township. She also ministered on South Andros Island in the Bahamas for four years.

Her most memorable and rewarding experiences were the years ministering to others on South Andros Island, Bahamas, and Indian Island in Old Town. After having left the convent in 1986, she worked at Montello School, Lewiston, until her illness in 1996. She also taught adult education in Auburn for several years.

During the eight years of her illness, she was an example to all who were fortunate to have encountered her pleasant smile and ability to cope with her limitations. Doreen was a woman of faith and spent time in prayer, always when no one was watching. She was a parishioner at Holy Family Parish in Lewiston and considered the parishioners as part of her “many families.”

During her earlier years she was an avid basketball and checker champion player. She also enjoyed taking photos, scrap booking and playing cards. Her love for music was evident with the gift of a beautiful voice often described as a songbird accompanied with her ability to play the guitar and piano. Doreen loved outdoor activities including swimming and canoeing. Until her death she never lost the skills of playing a challenging game of checkers. But most of all, she enjoyed the comforts of her home, watching TV and feeding biscuits to her dog, Buffy.

Her mother and father predeceased her during 1989.

She is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Ronald and Dolores (LaBrie) Shay of Springfield, Ohio; and nephews and wives, John and Melissa Shay, Brian Shay, Patrick and Pamela Shay, Stephen Shay and Mark and Jennifer (Shay) Smith of Ohio. She is also survived by three grandnephews, Nathan, Preston and Parker, and two grandnieces, Lydia and Leena; two aunts, Rita (Audet) Poulin of Lewiston and Lucy (Audet) Ouellette; and one uncle, Leon and Connie Audet and Dot Audet, all from Waterville.

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