AUBURN – Constance Theresa Masse Dufour, 72, of 8 Poulin Ave., Lewiston, died peacefully at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Friday evening, Jan. 4, with her loving family by her side. She had been diagnosed with cancer in July 2007.

She went to meet with her Lord our Savior and the loving arms of her husband Victor Dufour, her teenage sweetheart whom she married in 1953 and shared 48 loving years together before he passed on May 9, 2000. And, to also reunite with her parents, Charles Masse and Annette (Abe) Masse, her brother Robert Masse and her sister Claudette Aube.

Born in Lewiston on May 25, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Annette (Aube) Masse. She attended Holy Family, Saint Louis, and Holy Cross schools, Convent in Jackman with Sacred Heart Nuns, attended Lewiston High School, and graduated from Jordan School.

She worked at American Linen as a presser, and then became a cashier at Olfene’s Supermarket and Don & Dick’s Market. In 1961, she became a C.N.A and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital until 1972. She then was a homemaker for many years and enjoyed being home with her six children by the pool on Richard Terrace.

During her retirement years, she enjoyed going to their winter home in Port Richey, Fla., with her beloved husband until he passed. They had four wonderful retirement years together.

She was a member of Holy Cross Parish, then Holy Family Parish and retired with St. Francis Mission in Greene. A devoted Catholic who loved to watch EWTN Channel 58, to which she made numerous calls and fought to have it added to the basic lineup for Adelphia Cable customers.

She was with the Ladies of St. Anne for many years and had just recently once again rejoined the group.

A kind-hearted woman, she took care of her sister-in-law, Marie Dufour, for a few years, and her father, Charles Masse, for a few months, in her home on Richard Terrace.

Her hobbies were plants, playing piano and Internet games. She loved nature, listening to and watching birds, and canning. She loved to watch over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when she could. She started piano lessons at the age of 8, and won numerous awards for her talent and played until her last days with us. She brought her musical talent to several of her grandchildren who are now growing with the memory of their musical grandmother in their hearts forever. She enjoyed listening to them play.

She loved to travel and loved the ocean.

She was known as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and cherished her many friends, especially her best friend, Lorraine Hamman Kitchen of Rhode Island. She was a gentle woman with a heart of gold. She always found a way to keep her strength and endured anything that came her way. She was a very courageous women and a fighter until the end.

She leaves behind her six children, two daughters, Susan Lemay and husband, Michael, of Greene, and Annette Giguere and husband, Dale, of Sabattus; four sons, Ronald and wife, Penelope Dufour, of Lewiston, Michael Dufour of Lewiston, Victor Dufour of Sabattus, and Denis Dufour and wife, Robin, of Mechanic Falls; 13 grandchildren, Jamie Dufour and wife, Lesley, of Auburn, and Laurie Dufour Murphy, of Lewiston, Jason Dufour of Pioneer, Calif., Nick Lemay of Greene, Colby and Cameron Dufour of Lewiston, Chantel and Kristal Giguere, of Sabattus, Jeffrey, Troy and Chad Bryant, and Mariah and Katelyn Dufour, all of Mechanic Falls; and six great-grandchildren, Brendon Croteau, and Bryce and Rylee Dufour, of Auburn, Karrington Murphy of Lewiston, and Alexia and Jack Dufour of Pioneer, Calif.; two brothers, Norman Masse and wife, Lorraine, of Auburn, and Raymond Masse and wife, Doris, of Lewiston; two sisters, Pauline Firczak and husband, John, of Bowdoin, and Lorraine Bolen and companion, Al Audet, of Lewiston; and many, many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Austin and the staff at Androscoggin Home Heath Care and Hospice for the excellent care, family support and affection they gave her during her time of need. Also special thanks to Stephanie, her home health aide, whom she adored; Karen Bourgoin, her home care nurse; Dr. Raymond Stone, of Auburn; Dr. Meyerhart, Dana-Farber, Boston; Dr. Richard Polkinghorn, Midcoast Hospital, Brunswick; the staff on M1 at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston; and Sister Pat for her prayers with and for Mom. Thanks for words of encouragement and support, given from family and friends, and to the Revs. Dan Greenleaf and Mike Seavey for special prayers provided to the family and Mom.

She will be remembered in our hearts forever. We will truly miss her.