1926 – 2016

LEWISTON — Lena M. Martel, 89, of Lewiston and formerly of Auburn, died on Sunday, Jan. 17, at d’Youville Pavilion, following a long illness with her loving family by her side.

She was born in St. Quentin, New Brunswick, Canada, on Sept. 2, 1926, the daughter of the late Ludger and Anna (Drapeau) Theriault and had been a resident of this community for most of her life.

She was educated in St. Quentin, New Brunswick, schools. She married Robert A. Martel on May 20, 1950, at St. Louis Church in Auburn; he passed away on March 21, 1983.

She was employed at Bolster Heights Nursing Home until her retirement in 1997.

Lena was a devout Catholic and the matriarch of her family, which was the great joy of her life.

She enjoyed gardening, taking trips to Florida, especially to visit her daughter, Irene, senior citizen trips, watching her grandsons play baseball and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.

She is survived by five daughters, Joline Caron and her husband, Roger, of Lewiston, Lorraine Beaumont and her husband, Mike, of Raymond, Joann Cote and her husband, Rick, of Auburn, Janet Hinkley and her husband, Alan, of Wales and Irene Lahey of Auburn; three sons, Lucien Martel of Auburn, Donald Martel and his wife, Cindy, of Auburn and Michael Martel of Auburn; one sister, Therese Fournier of Lewiston; one brother, Fred Theriault of Auburn; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters and seven brothers.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the 4 West Unit of d’Youville Pavilion who took loving care for our mother.

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