1930 – 2016

AUBURN — Jeannette Newman was born on July 27, 1930, to Ida and Neri Babineau, and passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 19. She was one of four daughters; three sisters, Noela, Lorraine and Theresa.

She married Wilfred Drouin Sr. and became his wife at the age of 15. Together they had five children. Wilfred Drouin Jr, and wife, Darlene, from LaGrange, Philip Drouin, East Windsor, Conn., Susan Chase and husband, David, Winter Haven Fla., Joseph Drouin and wife, Diane, with whom she lived with for 13 wonderful years, and Cynthia Gates and husband, Michael, from Winter Haven, Fla.

At a very young age of 27, Jeannette became a widower losing her husband, Wilfred Sr. to a drowning accident. She raised their five children by herself for 10 years. Jeannette worked very hard to keep her family together and strong, teaching them to hunt, fish, cook and clean. She also cared for her sick mother. She worked in the potato fields, bean fields, shoe factory, and WT Grants in Rumford.

Jeannette married her second husband in 1967, Hayden “Pop” Newman, who passed away in her arms due to a heart attack. The two did everything together. They worked and played hard. In 1975, they purchased Newman’s Market, in Dixfield. They also built a beautiful home up in the Dixfield mountains. Jeanette spent a lot of time creating and working her beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. She also spent a lot of time knitting, traveling, fishing, picnics and family get-togethers. Most holidays were celebrated in their home with family coming in from all areas. She was all about family. Jeannette loved her 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She had a wonderful smile that would light up any room. She had such a great way about her. Anyone who had the pleasure to meet her was totally impressed by her, and immediately fell in love with her. However, she would get in the last word, and she was the Boss.

For an example, when Jeannette moved into Joe and Diane’s home, where they had a room added to their existing home for her. When she first walked in and saw the room, she immediately said “I can’t stay in that room, my furniture won’t fit. So we gave her our master bedroom and redesigned it and the bathroom to her specifications. “The Boss”

She is previously deceased by her parents, three sisters and their spouses, Noela and Homer Barlow, Lorraine and Albert Gallant and Theresa and Orin Myles. Also deceased are Gerald S. Nowlin, her beloved son-in-law, and two very special young men, a great-grandson, Thomas J. Luce Jr.; and great-nephew, Loren St. Cyr.

A special thank you goes out to all of her health care providers. Parkview Memorial Hospital, Chans, Interim, and Gentiva Home Health Care, all the entire staff that assisted in her care at CMMC . And a very special thanks goes out to the Sara Frye Home and all of the staff, where she lived for nine wonderful months, and the many friends that she acquired while living there.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Newman family by visiting their guest book at www.sgthibaultfuneralhome.com.


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