LITCHFIELD – Jeannette Rita Laroche Turcotte, 88, died on Monday, April 28, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren at her home in Litchfield.

She was born the only daughter of Mary Louise Jean Laroche and Antonio Laroche on Oct. 13, 1919, on Lincoln Street in Lewiston. She was educated in Lewiston schools and Ave Maria Convent in Sabattus.

She was very proud of her French-Canadian heritage and worked in the shoe shops of Auburn, before her marriage to Roger Turcotte in 1939. They moved to Litchfield in 1946, and raised a family of 13 children on their farm on the Richmond Road, where she lived until her passing.

This homestead was the gathering place for the entire family every Sunday for “Sunday dinner,” a tradition which continued right to the day of her death, and one that holds countless, treasured memories for all members of the family, including baseball games, “kick the can,” berry picking and card games, of which both pinochle and guts poker were two of her favorites.

Their 50-year marriage was blessed by their 13 children, 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; with each of them, she had a unique and special relationship. She inspired each of them with her indomitable spirit, her humor and her absolute joy in living.

She was never a stranger to hard work and adapted to farm life and childrearing with tremendous optimism and tenacity, despite her “city girl’ background. As their family grew and developed, she and her husband, Roger created and operated a popular convenience store and lunch counter appropriately named Turcotte’s Variety for many years, both in Litchfield and Sabattus.

As a business owner, she was beloved and respected by many local residents and long-time customers. She was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Sabattus, was a member of the senior citizens and traveled in her retirement years with her husband and children.

She leaves a large and loving family, as well as many friends.

She is survived by her children Jacqueline Barrett and her husband, Bert of Wales, Bertrand Turcotte and his wife, Pat of Litchfield, Alice McPeake and her husband, Mac of Durham, Elaine Braunfels and her husband, Richard of Litchfield, Judith Schram and her husband, Bud of Wales, Susan Poppish and her husband, David of Litchfield, Jane Connors of Litchfield, Roger Turcotte and his fiancée, Rebecca of Monmouth, Denise Sweet and her husband, Gary of Litchfield, Thomas Turcotte and his wife, Pamela of Monmouth, Peggy Veroneau and her husband, Steve of Virginia, all of whom cannot imagine a world without her presence in it.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Louise and Antonio; her devoted aunt Alice; her beloved sons, Robert and Michael; her husband, Roger; and her beautiful granddaughter, Karen.

The family would like to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and her daily caregiver, Sharon Day for all their assistance.