Ronald and Patricia

Beauchesne

AUBURN – A surprise party was held recently for Ronald and Patricia Beauchesne of Auburn, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

The event was planned and hosted by their children, Teresa, Michael, Thomas, James and Lisa and took place at the Hilton Garden Auburn Riverwatch on Dec. 11.

There was a display of current pictures of all their grandchildren and great-grandchild. Included in the display were letters of congratulations from Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, Gov. John Baldacci and the White House. Mayor Lionel Guay and his wife, June, and Mayor Normand Guay were on hand, as personal friends, to offer their congratulations. A DVD continually played showing snapshots of the couple’s life together, surprising many guests who found themselves within the pictures.

The tables were all decorated against a Christmas backdrop with wreathes of cream-colored roses, baby’s breath and green feather fern with cream candles in hurricane lamps. Two 36-inch colorful vase arrangements were used to decorate the cheese and fruit table and the vegetable crudités and dip table. Another table, where cards could be placed, held a bright red cyclamen, and a red cactus placed near the singer made for a beautiful atmosphere.

The couple wore a cream rose corsage and a rose boutonniere. Patricia and Ronald greeted each guest in a receiving line prior to dinner. Teresa Austin thanked everyone for attending and followed with a toast honoring her parents’ life together. The Rev. Michael Seavey gave a marriage blessing to the couple and announced that he had just received the “Papal Apostolic Blessing” from Pope Benedict XVI for them. He presented the framed blessing to them.

A sit-down dinner and wine pour was enjoyed by all. The anniversary cake was a three-tier white cake with cream frosting, draping cord with white roses and gold leaf design. The couple did the ceremonial cake cutting. Guests enjoyed a slide show and colorful commentary by daughter, Lisa, and son, Tom, as they had cake and coffee. The anniversary couple kicked off the dancing by waltzing to “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Mr. Beauchesne of Lewiston and the former Patricia Ann French of Mechanic Falls, were married on Dec. 26, 1955, at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston, by Msgr. Felix Martin.

Their children are Teresa Austin and husband, Stephen, of Lewiston, Michael Beauchesne of Peterborough, N.H., Thomas Beauchesne of Lake Wales, Fla., James Beauchesne and wife, Brenda, of Auburn and Lisa Dumond and husband, Michael, of Lewiston. Grandchildren included Nicholas, Brock and Ross Trepanier, Ryan Beauchesne, Clayton and Crystal Beauchesne, and Kelsey and Grace Dumond. Great-grandchild is Autumn Rose Trepanier.

A graduate of Bliss College, Mrs. Beauchesne worked at Lewiston Hardware and the American Red Cross in Boston, before raising a family. She was active in the PFTA and worked in the library at St. Joseph’s School in Lewiston, and was a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital. She has been a eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s Parish for many years.

A Korean War Army veteran, Mr. Beauchesne graduated from Bentley School of Accounting in 1957 and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1968. Employed at Germania Bank of Boston for two years, the former president of Northeast Bank of Lewiston-Auburn retired after 36 years from what was then Fleet Bank, as a senior vice president in 1994. Mr. Beauchesne is a former eight-year chairman of the board of the Sisters of Charity Health Systems Inc., and 11-year director of the board at St. Mary’s Hospital. He served at all levels of the United Way of Androscoggin County, served on the boards of L-A Arts, Maine Music Society, Festival de Joie, Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s, St. Dominic Regional High School, St. Joseph’s Parish, in addition to serving the city of Lewiston on various boards and commissions as called upon. He served over 20 years as a lector at St. Joseph’s Parish. He stays active as a director on the board of Great Falls Federal Credit Union and the board of St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston. He continues to serve as a eucharistic minister in his parish.

Close to 100 family members and friends joined in the celebration from as far away as Florida and as close as their hometowns of Mechanic Falls and Lewiston.