AUBURN — Lillian P. “Memere” Arsenault, 79, of 149 So. Main St. in Auburn, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday June 14.

She was born in Lewiston May 13, 1931, a daughter of Leon and Eugenie (Thibault) Pelletier. She was educated in Lewiston schools and remained a lifelong resident of this community. On Feb. 28, 1949 she married George E. Arsenault, who predeceased her on May 7, 2002. She worked 33 years at Bates Manufacturing, a few years at Bell Manufacturing, and then several years at Geiger Bros. until her retirement. She was a member of St. Louis Church and Horizons 55. For many years she enjoyed family gatherings around a campfire at her cottage on Thompson Lake, where she would be entertained for hours by her family of musicians, but most notably by her Johnny Cash-singing husband. She loved playing cards and board games with her family, especially with her grandchildren, shooting dice with her sisters, swimming and boat rides. She was known to many as “Memere Arsenault” and will always be remembered as a loving, devoted and hard-working wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed.

She leaves three sons, Daniel Arsenault and wife, Jill, of Auburn, Gary Arsenault and wife, Diane, of Alabama, and Jimmy Arsenault and wife, Debbie, of Auburn; seven grandchildren, Tim Arsenault and wife, Diana, of New York, Jeff Arsenault of Auburn, Lisa Dunlop and husband, Shain, of Minot, Michael Arsenault and wife, Jodi, of Tennessee, Jason Arsenault and wife Paula of Lewiston, Deanna Arsenault of Auburn, and Lisa Spaulding of No. Carolina; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Rita Morin of Auburn, and Jeanne Beauchesne and husband, Bill, of Auburn.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, George E. Arsenault; a sister, Ida Blais; and five brothers, Leo, Jerry, Jean, Real and Rosaire.