SHERMAN MILLS – Eufrecia “Pat” Louvat, 90, dearly-loved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend peacefully passed away at home Saturday, Dec. 30, while in the extraordinary care of her daughter Lorraine.

She was born on July 9, 1916, in Peru, a daughter of Nelson and Emma Lufkin.

Starting her career in the early years of the Oxford Paper Co., she was a proud papermaker retiree at the age of 65. She was an early activist for workers’ rights through the labor unions. In the late 1960s, challenged with discrimination in the workplace, she successfully led a class action suit advocating equal rights for women. That landmark decision set a precedent for many of the equal opportunity laws of today.

She was a member of St. Athanasius & St. John Catholic Church, and actively involved in the good workings of the American Legion, Snowshoe Club, Daughters of Isabella, VFW and the Eagles.

She loved a garden patch and delighted in the smiles that followed a bite of her famous apple pie. Her greatest joy was family, dear friends and gatherings of celebration. Her “can do” attitude and desire to help others has always been an inspiration, leaving you to know, “If you can’t see the bright side, polish the dull side!”

She is survived by her daughters, Lorraine Louvat, Jean Muse and husband, Artie, and Marie Ambusk and husband, Glenn; a brother, Charles Lufkin; grandchildren, Aaron and wife, Heidi Muse, Moriah Muse and Kyle Ambusk; and great-grandchild, Mallory Muse.

She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice Louvat; siblings, Edith Pingree Hamelin, Gladys Pingree Hodge, Arthur and Ellsworth Pingree, Ida Lufkin Brann and Addison Lufkin.