1936 – 2013

HALLOWELL — Delphine Clare (Comeau) Janosco, 76, of Hallowell, passed away on Friday, Sept. 27, after a long, heroic battle with leukemia, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born Dec. 23, 1936, at Central Maine General in Lewiston (what is now Central Maine Medical Center), the only daughter of Israel J. Comeau and Leonida M. (Cordt) Comeau of Durham.

She grew up on a nonworking farm in Durham, where she tended to the families’ chickens and beautiful, gray Chinchilla rabbits. Del attended a one room school house in Durham, until she went to high school at Edward Little in Auburn at the young age of 14. While in high school, Del modeled for Creighton Shoes in Auburn, where she was paid for her work in countless pairs of size 4 shoes. Del graduated Edward Little High School in 1953 at the age of 16, and one year later, graduated Auburn Maine School of Commerce where she studied business.

Del was married to her high school sweetheart, Richard M. Janosco, on May 14, 1955. The two settled in Lisbon Falls, where Del worked for U.S. Gypsum Paper Mill as a receptionist for a few years. She later worked in administration for Beneficial Financial for 20 years. During that time, she co-owned the Wayfarer Restaurant in Lisbon Falls with her husband, where the eatery was famous for their fried clams and blueberry donuts. After selling the restaurant, the two moved to Tacoma Lakes in South Monmouth. Del took maternity leave in 1977, for 16 years to raise her only daughter, Tiana S. (Janosco) Bonenfant. She later returned to administrative work at State Farm Insurance in Augusta and Falmouth, where she worked for 8 more years before retiring.

Del enjoyed socializing, going out to dinner with friends, shopping with her daughter, a good piece of chocolate, a great glass of bourbon and making people laugh.

Del touched the hearts of everyone who met her, whether it was with her wit, her personality or her petite 4 foot, 8 inch frame — everyone loved her instantly. She will always be her daughter’s “ittle mommy” and a light that shown brightly in the lives of many.

She is survived by her only daughter, Tiana S. Bonenfant and her husband, Shawn W. Bonenfant, and her grandkitty Cheebah, all of Hallowell; also several nieces and a nephew.

She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Richard, in 2008.

Memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.