LISBON – Carmel B. Brassbridge, 67, a resident of Surprise, Ariz., was born to a new life Friday, Aug. 27, at the home of her sister, Muriel Rivard so that Carmel’s family could be with her and her husband, Harvard, for her final days.

She was born in Lewiston on March 3, 1943, the daughter of Armand and Florida (Champagne) Charest.While growing up in Lewiston, she was a member of Holy Cross Church and was a 1961 graduate of Lewiston High School. While raising a family she balanced work and home duties during her early years. She was very proud of continuing her education and graduating from CMVTI licensed nursing program in 1982. She then worked in nursing until her retirement. She met her husband, Harvard, on April 27, 1983, a date that they celebrated annually along with their wedding anniversary.

Besides being devoted to her family, she had a strong devotion to the St. Clair of Assisi Parish in Surprise, Ariz., where she was a Eucharistic minister, lector, CCD teacher, and member of their Ladies Ministry. She was also active in many local groups and charities.

Throughout the years, Carmel always maintained a special relationship with her first husband’s family, the Voisines.

Survivors include her husband, Harvard, of Surprise, Ariz.; children, Christine Malinowski and husband, Peter, of Sabattus, Carol-Ann Galban and fiancé, James Ahern, of Redding, Conn., Marc Voisine of Auburn, and Gerard C. Desjardins and wife, Jennifer, of Buxton; stepchildren, James Brassbridge of Sebago, Kelvin Brassbridge and wife, Mary, of Heartland, and Robert Brassbridge of Augusta; siblings, Muriel Rivard of Lisbon, Conrad Charest and wife, Jeanne, of Lewiston, Claire Dechene and husband, Donald, of Oxford and Ft. Dora, Fla., Alta Bouchard and husband, Normand, of Lisbon, and Alma Ouellette and husband, Paul, of Auburn. Also surviving are five special sisters-in-law and their spouses, as well as 10 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, one great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Milferd H. Voisine, in 1965; and her second husband, Gerard R. Desjardins in 1982.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.


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