RUMFORD — Jeannette Geraldine Derouche, 89, passed away on Friday, Nov. 24, at The Rumford Community Home. She was born the daughter of Archie and Caroline (Gaudet) Arsenault at their home on Osgood Avenue in Mexico, on June 10, 1928.

She attended St. Theresa’s School and Mexico High School. She married the love of her life, John F. Derouche, on Dec. 30, 1947, and celebrated 53 years of marriage before he passed. They had nine children together and she loved being a stay-at-home mom. Family was everything to her. John would come back from work and say, “Jeannette, you have two hours to pack the trunks,one for food and one for clothes, we are going on a two-week vacation.” After John retired, they lived in Lakeland, Fla., in the winter months for 12 years. They attended many spring training Red Sox games in Florida and home games in Boston. She also loved camping in the summer, especially with all her children and other family members. She made all her children feel special individually, without playing favorites.

Surviving children are, Carol Littlehale of Rumford, John F. Derouche Jr., and wife, Lynda of Weld, Cynthia Burke and husband, Jack of Mexico, Kathleen Thompson and husband, Peter of Mexico, Timothy Derouche and wife, Anita of Roxbury Pond, James Derouche and wife, Renee of Skowhegan, Joseph Derouche and wife, Catherine of Mexico, Janet Brennick and husband, Mike of Mexico; and son-in-law, Chester Groleau, of Brunswick. Also surviving is her sister, Georgette Beauchesne, of Mexico; 25 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John F. Derouche; a daughter, Anne Marie Groleau; a brother, Gerard Arsenault; and a sister, Evangeline.

A special thank-you to all her sons-in-law and daughters-in-law for their loving care given to our mother. We would also like to thank her dedicated friend and roommate, Theresa Gallant. Many heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff at the Rumford Community Home and The Hospice Team from Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. They are all very kind and caring people and our mother felt very comfortable there.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Jeannette’s guestbook at www.sgthibaultfuneralhome.com.

Jeannette G. Derouche