1920 – 2003

LEWISTON – Aurore Labonte, 82, of 101 College St., Greene died Thursday, Sept. 11, at Ste. Marguerite d’Youville Pavilion where she resided for the past eight months.

Born Sept. 27, 1920, in Lowell, Mass., a daughter of Antonio and Aurore Hamel and was brought up by her mother and stepfather, Adolphe Boilard.

Mrs. Labonte was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, and was married to Roger N. Labonte who died March 8, 1985. She worked as a fancy stitcher at Clark Shoe Co. and Bates Mfg. Co.

She was a fantastic seamstress who could transform scraps of fabric into imaginative costumes or stylish clothes.

She enjoyed cooking and was famous for her spaghetti and turning leftovers into gourmet meals.

She loved music and especially enjoyed dancing at her grandchildren’s weddings.

Before her illness, she could be seen walking around the Auburn Mall or taking exercise classes with friends at the Multi-Purpose Center. She was a whiz with a crochet hook and knitting needles, and her family will treasure her creations for years

She is survived by two daughters, Diane Amos and her husband David, Linda Blanchard and her husband Bruce all of Greene; seven grandchildren, Michael and Theresa Amos, Jeff and Marcia Amos, Debora and Jameson McAtee, Sandra and Heath Sawyer, James Pelletier and his fiancée Jessica LaPlante, Greg Amos and Kathy Amos; a great-grandson, Tyler Patrick Amos; and a great-grandson to be Tyler James Sawyer.

She shared her joie de vie at d’Youville Pavilion, sharing her possessions unselfishly. Her claim to fame: “walking with Tilly the cat on her walker.” Mostly, she was courageous.

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