LEWISTON – Louise Masson, 95, an independent-minded hardworking housekeeper, who once worked for a Maine governor, died Thursday at St. Marguerite d’Youville Pavilion.

Born Marie Louise Cyr in Amesbury, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Zelia Roy Cyr.

Early in her childhood, she was placed in a convent in Canada so her mother could work in a mill to support the family.

During a long, colorful life, Masson worked a variety of jobs across New England, including shoe shops, textile mills, and the governor’s mansion.

She was in charge of the upstairs quarters at the Blaine House when Burton M. Cross was governor from 1952 to 1955.

For nearly 35 years she was employed by Lawrence Ward, co-owner of Ward Brothers, who died in March. The Ward family adored Masson and regarded her as a dear family member.

Being self-educated, she was a voracious reader. She was also an avid fan of sulky and dog racing. For years, she was a fixture at the Lewiston Fairgrounds and other racetracks where she personally knew the horse owners, trainers and jockeys. In later years, she traveled Saturdays to the Seabrook, N.H., dog track.

She was married and divorced twice. Her only child, Nancy Soucy Masson, worked as a waitress at Marois Restaurant and died in a bus accident in 1950 at the age of 19.

She was an original resident when Oak Park opened downtown in the 1980s and was among its longest-living original members.

In recent years, she received special attention from Cheryl Dobblesteyn, d’Youville’s clinical therapy director.