Adrienne L. Carpentier

1919 – 2010

AUBURN — Strengthened by the sacraments and prayers for her Catholic faith, Adrienne L. Carpentier, 90, of Auburn, passed on to eternal life on Saturday, March 27.

She was born in Van Buren on Oct. 14, 1919, second eldest of the nine children of George and Henriette “Lottie” Cormier Lajoie. Raised in Lewiston, she attended Saints Peter and Paul Parochial School and Jordan Grammar School.

On Oct. 12, 1942, she married Charles E. Carpentier of Auburn, who at the time was serving in the USMC stationed at Quantico, Va. Her husband died on March 2, 1969. As a young adult, she worked for the late Mrs. Mae Callahan of Lewiston, with whom she remained a lifelong friend. During her years in Quantico, she worked at a local tailor shop sewing and repairing uniforms for service personnel. Upon returning to Maine, she worked in the local shoe industry, as well as caring for children and doing housework. She established her own drapery business which she operated from her home for many years. She served as a cook and housekeeper at several local parish rectories as well as for her son.

She enjoyed plants and gardening, cooking and sewing, and crafts of every kind. She crafted many of her grandchildren’s baptismal gowns, the last at age 88, for her great-granddaughter, Ella Thurston. She was formerly a very active member of Holy Cross Church, Lewiston, and of St. Louis Church, Auburn. In more recent years, she was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Auburn. She had a great devotion to St. Anthony of Padua.

She is survived by her six children: Carmen E. White of Auburn, the Rev. Normand E. Carpentier of Bath-Brunswick, Marian C. (Daniel) Cote of Topsham, Paul R. Carpentier of Auburn, Fred C. (Suzanne) Carpentier of Auburn, and Denise T. (Robert) Burke of Poland; 10 loving grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one  great-great-granddaughter. She also leaves three sisters, Anita Plourde of Auburn, Lorraine Clark of South Windsor, Conn., and Carmen (Laurent) Carrier of Lewiston; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.

She was predeceased by three sisters, Ann Bousquet, Fernande Juneau and Laurina Lajoie; and two brothers, Maurice and Joseph Lajoie.

In recent years, she resided at the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s Home for the Aged in Auburn. Her children extend their heartfelt thanks to the administrators and staff for the loving and compassionate care shown to our ‘Mom’ and ‘Memere’ during her stay at the home, as well as for the very comforting concern and attention shown us during her final days. A special thanks to Dr. Paul Raczynski and his staff. God bless you all!