LEWISTON – Helene C. Pelletier, 82, of Lewiston passed away on Monday, Oct. 22, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center with her family by her side.

She was born in St. Crepin-Ibouvillers, France on Dec. 9, 1924, the daughter of Alexandre Cauchy and Henriette Delacourt. She was educated in France, where she excelled in all subjects, especially math.

When American forces arrived in Paris, she met M/Sgt. Normand “Fern” Pelletier. They married in Paris before relocating to the U.S. in August 1946. As a resident of Lewiston, she worked in local shoe factories and later owned and operated Knox Street Market with her husband from 1960 to 1980.

She was very proud of her French heritage, never forgetting her roots. Often recounting stories of her youth during the war, everyone would listen attentively to her beautiful French.

Her three grandchildren were her greatest joy, but she also loved reading, crosswords and jigsaw puzzles until the loss of her vision to the fast-progressing wet form of macular degeneration. Everyone who knew her was amazed at her courage, strength and honesty, especially when faced with her disabilities.

She is survived by her daughter, Edith Parker and husband, Fred, of Lewiston; two grandsons, Peter Parker of Lewiston and Michael Parker of Pasco, Wash.; a granddaughter, Amy Parker of Boston, Mass.; four great-grandsons, Tony, Nathan, Zachary and Jacob: a sister, Lucienne Angrand of France; two brothers, Theodule Cauchy and Jacques Cauchy, both of France, and many nieces and nephews in France and the U.S.