LEWISTON — Bertha Y. (Charest) Libby, 95, of Blake Street Towers, Lewiston, died peacefully with her family by her side Tuesday, July 25, at Marshwood Nursing Home in Lewiston, following a brief illness.
Born in Lewiston on March 3, 1922, she was the daughter of Joseph A. and Florida Bosse LeClair. Educated in local schools, she married Norman E. Charest in 1941. Norman passed away in 1995. She married her second husband, Arnold Libby, in 1976. Arnold passed in 2003.
She was a dedicated wife and mother, a creative and accomplished seamstress, and an avid fisherman who knew just where to toss that line every time. Essentially, family was her life. Her passions were fishing, being near the ocean, and the many years she spent riding shotgun in an 18-wheeler with Arnold, traveling around the country, visiting family wherever they were, thrilled by the experiences of new people, places and nature.
In her last years, she eagerly anticipated weekly visits from Bates College foreign student volunteers to her building, never tiring of asking about their countries and cultures, their families, sharing with them stories of her childhood growing up in Lewiston, and teaching them card games. To the end, she never lost her keen wit and sense of humor, or her curiosity about and enjoyment in learning new things and meeting new people.
Survivors include three daughters, Joanne and husband, L. Paul Ducharme of Poland, Monique and husband, James Leamon, of Casco, and Dianne and husband, Jerry Dubois, of Turner; three sons, Leonard Charest of Miami, Fla., Daniel Charest of Dover, N.H., and Ronald Charest of Lewiston; a sister, Irene Maher of Lakewood, Calif.; a brother, Robert LeClair of Windemere, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, greats and great-greats.
Besides her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by two sons, Michael and Bernard Charest; and nine brothers and sisters. Donations, condolences, and a video tribute may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.
