1922 – 2016

AUBURN — Joan B. (Bruce) Chenard, 94, of Lewiston died Tuesday, June 21, at the Hospice House after a long illness, with her three loving children by her side. She was the wife of the late Alphee A. Chenard, who died April 8, 1969.

Joan was born in Brockton, Mass., on May 14, 1922, the daughter of the late Erroll and Dorothy (Libbey) Bruce. She grew up in Auburn, moving to Rumford during the eighth grade and graduated from Stephens High School in 1940; she always said those were the best four years of her life. She then went on to Northeast Business College and married her high school sweetheart, Alphee, on Jan. 24, 1942. They moved back to Auburn in 1945.

She worked in the banking industry all of her life, starting off as a bookkeeper at the Rumford Falls Trust Co. in Rumford and retired from Fleet Bank as an AVP of Human Resources.

She was an active member of the Auburn Methodist Church, where she belonged to the circle group for Bible study. Joan was an avid piano and organ player and enjoyed genealogy, reading, sewing and crossword puzzles, as well as spending time with her friends every Thursday at her home as they did Bible study.

The definition of Joan, mother and gram was selfless, caring, loving, wise and determined. Family always came first; her children where her best treasures. She mostly loved family gatherings, where all would sing as she played the organ. Her love, guidance and wisdom will be forever missed.

She is survived by her son, Jack Chenard and his wife, Connie; her two daughters, Judith Whitney and her husband, Cliff and Corinne Lalemand and her husband, Wayne; and her seven grandchildren, Randy Chenard, Stephanie Perry and her husband, Bruce, Heather Swart and her husband, Sean, Zebb Lalemand and his wife, Jenna, Emmy Labonte, Brian Potvin and his wife, Martha, and Jen Kelly and her husband, Dan. She also leaves 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was also the mother of the late Suzanne Chenard and the sister of the late Robert Bruce.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Joan’s guest book and leave comments and condolences for the family.