LEWISTON — Candide Croteau Leblanc died peacefully at home in the care of her eldest daughter, Carmela Clavet. She was fortunate to have a daughter who allowed her to remain in the comfort of her own home during her frail years.

She was born on Aug. 10, 1911, the second of nine children born to Dr. Thomas and Carmela Croteau. She often reminisced about her childhood growing up in Chisholm (Livermore) with her eight siblings. She lived for nearly 100 years, a lifetime marked by very significant changes in all aspects of life and social norms. She often commented how much had changed during her lifetime.

On April 13, 1941, she married Denis Leblanc of Lewiston. They enjoyed 49 years of married life together before his death in 1990. Denis and Candide raised four children. She was truly happy as a wife, mother and homemaker. She loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours growing vegetables and flowers. Her neighbors admired her flowers. She shared her love of nature with her family. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed baking for others. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and reading. When her children were grown, she learned to paint. She has left her children with lasting mementos of her skills.

She loved music, especially classical. As a youngster, she played the saxophone and piano. In her later years, she sang for the Holy Family choir, devoting many hours in preparation for the annual Christmas concert, or singing at Sunday Mass.

She believed in service to her community and church. She served as a Eucharistic minister and visited people in nursing homes. She was a communicant of Holy Family Church and Ladies of St. Anne. For many years, she attended daily Mass.

She is survived by her children, Carmela Clavet, Constance Levasseur, Reine Mynahan and her husband, Richard, and Denis Leblanc and his wife, Robin; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Vincent Leblanc.

She was predeceased by her husband, Denis Leblanc; and her eight siblings, Monique Morin, Corinne Lepage, Reine Perkins, Thomas Croteau, Denis Croteau, Andre Croteau, Odette Fournier and Augustin Croteau.

Candide lived a long, happy life. She will be remembered by her family as a gentle woman who always had kind words to say of others and demonstrated her appreciation for anything that was done for her. She was a special woman and will be dearly missed by her family. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Leblanc family by visiting their guestbook at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.