AUBURN — Opal Johnson Duchette, age 89, of Auburn, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven today because of her personal relationship with Jesus.

Opal was born Nov. 4,1928, the daughter of Archibald and Emily Johnson. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1946. She married Vernal Duchette on Sept. 4, 1948. On Dec. 16, 1955, they welcomed their daughter, Marie.

Opal worked for nearly 40 years at the Sun Journal as executive secretary to the owner. She also studied to be a ventriloquist and established a puppet ministry at Lisbon Free Baptist Church where her husband, Vernal, served as pastor. Opal and Vernal were married 57 years before his passing on May 11, 2006.

Later in life, Opal became a resident at Schooner Estates. There she met Irving Grant. They were married Nov. 25, 2012. They shared three wonderful years together before his passing.

Opal is survived by her daughter, Marie, who has been by her side this entire journey, and husband, Marc Gagne, of Oxford; granddaughter, Kristal Miller, and husband, Michael, of Lancaster, Pa.; grandson, Nicholas Gagne, of Barrington, R.I., and fiancee, Ginette; and two great-grandsons, Sean-Paul and Benjamin Miller.

She was predeceased by her parents; two sisters, Susie and Alma; and one brother, David.

The family would like to thank Schooner Estates and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the loving care they provided during her illness.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Opal J. Duchette

Opal J. Duchette

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