LEWISTON — Jeannine R. Belisle Michaud transitioned to a new life early Sunday, March 4, at d’Youville Pavilion, following a massive stroke suffered on Dec. 12. Her family was with her. Jeannine was born in Lewiston on May 27, 1932, to Antonio G. Belisle and Rita B. (Fournier) Belisle. She attended St. Joseph Convent in Jackman. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1950.

She excelled in office management at Carter Milling Co. On Oct. 6, 1951, she married Bertrand P. Michaud. She became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first child. Jeannine cherished her family, never forgetting to celebrate each event in their lives. She applied her bookkeeping skills at home for the various and diversified businesses her husband and his brother founded. She was an avid bridge player and loved to read, at least one book weekly on average.

As retirement years approached, they planned to pursue their favorite activity, traveling. They spent winters in St. Petersburg, Fla., cruising to various Caribbean Islands, culminating with the maiden voyage crossing cruise of the Queen Mary II to London, England. In 2005, her husband died from injuries incurred in a fall. To preserve and honor his memory, she dedicated and funded a chapel at Holy Family Parish rectory in Lewiston.

She cherished the visits by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making sure the candy drawer was always full and lots of games for the little ones, crafting a makeshift garage for the tiny ones to play in under her desk. She continued her travels to Florida and several cross-country ventures with her sisters. Daughters, Judy and Eileen, called her weekly. Judy and her husband, Duane, and their 11 — that’s right, 11 — children frequently came from Skowhegan to take her to dinner.

Jeannine loved to shop for bargains weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the scheduled Schooner shopping days, and amassed a huge stash of gifts. She enjoyed scheduled monthly shopping adventures to Portland, Augusta or Boston with her sisters. She enjoyed riding in a hot air balloon and annual visits to Red’s Eats in Wiscassett for her favorite dish, a lobster roll.

A deeply religious person, she began each day watching daily Mass on EWTN, followed by recitation of her rosary. She was a faithful supporter of EWTN as well as several charitable agencies. She became a member of and attended St. Phillip’s Parish in Auburn after moving to Schooner Estates. She was known to be very generous to her friends at Schooner, lately sharing jars of strawberries with them. A supporter of the Center for Wisdom’s Women, she donated large amounts of clothing for women in need.

Survived by her sons: Dennis (wife, Irene), James and Bertrand; daughters, Eileen Michaud and Judy Casey (husband, Duane) and their families; her brothers, Armand (wife Barbara), Paul (wife Sally), Bertrand and John (wife Helen); her sisters, Monique Belisle, Claire Baker (husband, Jim) and Patricia Salters.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to her sister, Claire, for assuming responsibility for her special needs son. Thanks to the nursing staff at d’Youville for their special care. To her incredible daughter, Judy Casey (the mother of 11 children), who drove from Skowhegan weekly to faithfully care for her while a patient at d’Youville Pavilion, and finally to the staff at Schooner Estates, especially Mark Prevost, his assistant, Sue, and to her friend, Vicky: Thank you. God love and bless you all. She will be missed.

Donations and condolences may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.

Jeannine R. Michaud

Jeannine R. Michaud