Carmen G. Martel

1913-2009

LEWISTON – Carmen G. Martel, 95, of 50 Ashmount St., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, at her residence.

She was born in Lewiston, Dec. 9, 1913, the daughter of the late Alphee and Angelina Moreau Gosselin. She graduated from St. Mary’s Parochial School and was married Sept. 14, 1940, to Rosaire “Ti Blanc” Martel, former Androscoggin County Sheriff, who predeceased her July 17, 1983.

Carmen worked in local textile mills in the spinning room and later worked at Blais Flower Shop and Greenhouse as a floral designer then managed their former gift boutique on Lisbon Street.
She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at Holy Cross Church, where she volunteered until her health made it necessary for her to stop. She was also a member of La Survivance Francaise and the 300 club. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tatting, cross-stitching and oil painting, gardening, traveling, crossword puzzles, music and dining out. For many years she derived great pleasure from being part of the Young at Heart bowling league.

She is survived by two daughters, Florence Binette and husband, Nelson, of Lewiston and Lucille McClure of Essex, Vt.; a son, Andre Martel and wife, Carolyn, of Bowie, Maryland; nine grandchildren, Denise Binette Jorgenson and husband, John, Diane Binette Frank Markle, Daniel Binette, Scott McClure and wife, Laura, Vicki McClure Ihlefeld and husband, Timothy, Kelly McClure Smith Williams and husband, Michael, Renee Martel Tripp, Tina Martel Pavlish and husband, Sean, and Chad Martel and wife, Melissa; great-grandchildren, Dianna and Shawn Jorgenson, Nicholus Frank, Noah and Danielle Binette, Brody, Kiley and Kaiden McClure, Colin, Caroline and Robert Joel Ihlefeld, Olivia Smith, Grace Williams, Matthew, Jacob, Brenden, Kaitlyn and Jordan Tripp; a great-great-grandson, Ethan Hendrix.

She was predeceased by her sister, Florence Gosselin; and her six brothers, the Rev. Antonio Gosselin, Laurent, Adrien, Honorius, Fernand and Hermenegilde; also a granddaughter, Donna Lynn McClure; a great-grandson, Brendan Binette; and a son-in-law, Robert McClure.