LEWISTON – Eva A. Labonte, 73, of Greene, passed away Wednesday, April 8, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Chisholm, the youngest of 11 children of Charles and Eva (L’Italien) Castonguay. She was educated in Livermore area schools and continued to take other courses in higher education.

She married Jean Paul Labonte of Lewiston in 1958 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Livermore Falls. In the ensuing years, they lived in Maine and Canada, returning to Maine permanently in 1976. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May 2008.

She was a person of deep religious faith who dedicated her energies to the service of two local Catholic parishes. For several years after her return to Maine, she decorated the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and later St. Joseph’s Church until about four years ago. In the more recent years, she developed a keen interest in apologetics and religious self studies. She has written numerous articles on different moral and religious topics.

At home, her greatest pleasure was gardening. She happily tended to her 10 or more flower gardens and a vegetable garden. Her gardening skills are well-known in the neighboring areas of Greene. Other interests she was active in are needlepoint and quilting. Over the past few years, she made a quilt for each of her 14 grandchildren.

All of these activities however, were secondary to the love she had for her family. She enjoyed cooking and preparing for family gatherings and special occasions and holidays. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Surviving is her husband, and her five children and spouses; Mark C. Labonte and spouse, Lisa-Marie, of Lewiston, Pauline Lynch of Lewiston, Joline G. Lindsley and spouse, Dr. Eric Lindsley, of Bath, Anne Dramko and husband, Dr. Joseph Dramko, of Cheyenne, Wy., and Andre Labonte and wife, Jennifer, of Scarborough; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Laurette Bilodeau of Lewiston and Rosalie St. Pierre of Fayette; one brother, Lionel Castonguay and wife, Louise, of Livermore; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by five brothers; two sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Janice Dent Labonte.


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