1944 – 2016

AUBURN — Therese M. Pepin, 71, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 28, after a courageous, yearlong battle with cancer. She passed at her home in Auburn with her loving daughter, Louise, by her side.

Therese was born in Nantes, Quebec, on June 22, 1944, the daughter of the late Emeril and Simone (Champagne) Lessard. On June 20, 1964, she married the love of her life, Laurier Pepin, and they soon moved to the “State”‘ to begin their new lives together. Therese worked in the local shoe shop industry upon arriving to the Lewiston-Auburn area where she resided the rest of her days. After her husband passed in 1990, Therese began working at The Odd Fellows Home in Auburn where she remained until semi-retirement in 2009. The last years of her life were joyfully spent volunteering at Central Maine Medical Center. Therese was also a devout Catholic and attended Sacred Heart Church for more than 40 years.

Therese was a selfless person, often sacrificing for the better of others and always managing to see the good in people or situations, even when they weren’t deserving of such. She had an optimistic air about her that could comfort the hardest of souls and could melt our hearts with a simple flash of her smile. She had the ability to find and count every blessing throughout her life even when they were few and far between. Therese was full of love, kindness, generosity and was adored by so many. Her family and friends meant everything to her as she did to us. Fortunate are we all for having her grace each of our lives with her presence and we will continue to be blessed with her sweet, gentle spirit now and forever. We ask that you honor her memory by implementing the following simplicities into your own lives: Be kind to one another. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Be thankful for what you have and be grateful for what you can do. Lastly, just simply love one another.

She is survived by her daughter, Louise Pepin of Auburn; son, John Pepin of Freeport; brother, Henri-Paul Lessard of North Carlonia; sisters, Louisette Lessard-Trepanier of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Denise Lessard-Lecours of Drummondville, Quebec, Madeleine Lessard-Blanchette of Courcelles, Quebec, Diane Lessard of Lac-Megantic, Quebec; lifelong friend, Marie Marthe Poulin of Lewiston; and many nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the United States.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Laurier Pepin; baby boy, Paul Pepin; baby brother, Andre Lessard; best friends, Cecile Ouellette, Norman and Marie Ouellette; and her fur-grandbaby, Missy. Her sister Madeleine sadly passed three days after Therese on  Sunday, Jan. 31.

Therese wanted to thank everyone for all the love, prayers, calls, visits and cards received during these trying times. She intended to reply to each and every one of you to tell you how much your well wishes meant to her. Your overwhelming show of love and support was very welcomed and much appreciated! A heartfelt thank-you from both Therese and her family.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories by visting her online guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

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