1952 – 2013

WILTON — Claudette (Madore) Hutchins, also known as CJ, 61, of Lewiston, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 27, in Wilton, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

She was born in Van Buren on Dec. 18, 1952, the daughter to Claude and Patricia (Dubay) Madore. Claudette grew up in Van Buren, where she graduated from Van Buren District High School in 1971. Shortly after high school, she moved to Ogunquit and southern Maine, working various jobs, eventually settling in Lewiston.

Claudette had a 31-year career at Auburn Mfg. beginning in 1983. She was the company’s second employee. As the company grew, so did Claudette and was always willing to take on new challenges with good humor and professionalism. Her dedication to her work and love of people made her deserving of the position of their first resource manager. She made sure every employee and their family members were treated fairly, with compassion and respect.

Claudette, (or Grams) felt closest to her partner, Claire, and granddaughter, Taylor. She lived her life taking care of them and will now be a loving angel that will forever be watching over them. Her love for life and the joy she always brought to others made her very special. She could light up a room with her presence and always put herself second to all. She has also made a great void in the life of Lillian Benoit, who is the mother of Claire and embraced Claudette like a daughter.

On June 6, 1983, she gained another special family when she became a member of … A Friend Of Bill’s. She found her heart, soul, body and mind through selfless acts and words of all the members. She always had a smile and kind greeting for everyone. “One Day at a Time”!! Her spirit will always be in their midst.

Claudette had a special closeness to the Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz” because of his kind heartedness. She too had a kind heart for everyone blessed to know her. Everyone loved her and she will never be forgotten by the people she connected with over three decades.

Partner, Grams, friend, daughter, family member, dear lovely angel taken way too soon and survived by her beloved partner, Claire Bergeron. Friend, soul mate through most of her life and granddaughter, Taylor Bergeron, whom she adored and was pure joy in Claudette’s eyes. Both of Lewiston. Her mother, Patricia (Dubay) Madore of Van Buren; seven brothers, Lorne and wife, Dianne, Glen of Van Buren, Phil and wife, Kathy, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., David, Jim and wife, Lita, of Van Buren, Larry of Bangor, Rodney and wife, Julie, of Marlborough, Conn.; and two sisters, Donna Fonseca of Wilton and Brenda Chasse and husband, Jim, of Van Buren. She was the stepmother for 30 years to Michael Bergeron, granddaughter Haley and Karen Bergeron. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who will miss her.

She was predeceased by her father, Claude Madore of Van Buren; and a brother, Ti John of Van Buren.

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