1915 – 2015

LEWISTON — Helene Gagnon was born in Caraquet, New Brunswick, Canada, on Dec. 17, 1915, the daughter of the late John and Clara (Poirier) Boudreau, the middle of three children. She attended local schools in New Brunswick, Canada, and went to normal school and became a teacher. In 1936, she emigrated with her sister Florentine and became a United States citizen.

In 1941, she met the love of her life and married him on a bet. The one dollar bet was that she would not marry before the end of the year. She won the bet, and they were married on Dec. 27, 1942. They were happily married for 68 years until his death in 2010. She traveled extensively while her husband was training to be a pilot in World War II.

Having the benefit of airline discounts, she also traveled extensively to many countries doing the now famous round the world trip. She was a member of Holy Cross Parish and a member of St. Anne’s Sodality.

Upon arriving in the United States, she worked as a fancy stitcher in local shoe shops. She worked at Ward Bros. in the mailing department, taught at Holy Cross School and St. Dominic’s High School.

Helene leaves her son, Paul E. Gagnon of Boynton Beach, Fla.; her daughter Claire Braida and her husband, Garrett J., of Midway, Utah; her granddaughter, Nicole Carollo and husband, Matthiew, also of Midway Utah; and great-grandson, William; great-granddaughter, Brooke; a very special niece, Patricia Zebley and her husband Michael, of Lewiston, and their son John. Patricia was at Helene’s side practically every day and tended to her needs and wishes and read her passages from the Bible, which she enjoyed very much. Helene also leaves many nieces and nephews in Lewiston.

She lived independently at St. Mary’s Residences until a heart attack made it difficult for her to stay there. She then moved to Montello Manor and thought it was the best place on earth. She was very happy there, and we thank them for all the care and kindness they gave her.

She loved her independence and kept herself busy doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire and watching EWTN and FOX news. She always had a song in her heart and could be heard in the halls of Montello singing “Show Me the Way to go Home.” She has now found her home. She had a deep faith in God and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Because of hardships in the family, she was raised by her grandparents and by the nuns in a convent. As a result of the circumstances, she was a very strong individual and never complained. She always looked at the bright side of things.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her dear husband, Laurent; her sister, Florentine; her brother-in-law Roger Turgeon; and her older brother Egbert.

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