LEWISTON – Yolande B. Hamel, 75, of 262 Pleasant St., Lewiston, passed away Monday, June 9, at her home in the company of her entire family, shortly after celebrating her 75th birthday.

She was born in Jackman on June 9, 1933, the daughter of the late Leo and Rita McCullough Blais. She was married on June 30, 1951, to Emilien Hamel at St. Louis Church. He died on Sept. 22, 2000.

Prior to her retirement, she owned and operated R+Y Custom Draperies. She was a member of St. Louis Church.

She enjoyed writing and quilting. It was her wish to donate a 26-panel Irish Heritage quilt she made by hand to a museum in St. Come, Quebec, and they graciously accepted her most generous gift.

She will be remembered for her wonderful meat pies.

She is survived by her three children, Susan Bowie and husband, Robert, of Auburn, Stephen Hamel of Lewiston, and Penny Andrews and husband Lee, of Kingman, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Kimberly Spencer, Angela White, Robert, Sherry and Danielle Bowie, and Carey Loukides; five great-grandchildren, Kristin, Karli, Koen, Lily and Ashlyn; and two brothers, Leo Blais and wife, Suzanne, of Woodbridge, Va., and Guy Blais and wife, Carolyn of South Paris.