Simonne A. Bruneau

1931 – 2009

LEWISTON – Simonne A. Bruneau, 78, of Auburn, died at Central Maine Medical Center on July 10, in the arms of her beloved daughter after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Lewiston, on Jan. 28, 1931, a daughter of Valmore and Alice (Grenier) Bruneau.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School in Lewiston and attended Lewiston High School. In the 1980s, she completed her education and received her G.E.D. and C.N.A.

She began her working career at age 13 as a waitress, and worked full-time, and sometimes two jobs, in the shoe, manufacturing and transportation industries until her late 50s, when she became disabled.

She married Romeo F. Lavoie, now deceased, on May 7, 1949. She was later married to Richard St. Amand.

In her younger days, she enjoyed rollerskating, dancing, playing badminton and hunting with members of her family. She found comfort by any lakeside. Later in life, she enjoyed watching old movies, babysitting her granddog, Abby, and helping her daughter and son-in-law. She loved her home, treasured her freedom and lived independently until her recent illness.

She was a devoted mother, mother-in-law, daughter, sister and friend. She enjoyed helping others in need and unselfishly devoted many hours to those efforts. She was intelligent, dependable, responsible, humble, resourceful and independent. She was thankful and appreciative for any small favor shown to her. She always had a positive attitude despite life’s challenges. She was adored by her family and loved by her friends.

Throughout her life, she was a devout Catholic and found peace and solace from her faith.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Ronald Lebel of Auburn; her sisters, Jeannine Stuhr of Roscoe, Ill., and Rita Spencer of Auburn; a special cousin, Constance Boisvert; nieces and nephews; and friends, young and old. She is survived by her “adopted” daughter, Phyllis Deringis, who took Simonne into her life and family. She is also survived by her granddog, Sierra.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Fernande Clavet; her two brothers, Henry and Lucien Bruneau; her former husband, Romeo F. Lavoie, and her much beloved granddog, Abby.

The family wishes to acknowledge a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Oscar Cabatingan, who was her trusted physician for many years and who demonstrated sustained and extraordinary compassion in the course of her recent illness.