RUMFORD — Leah Blouin was remembered Wednesday as someone with a giving heart.

Blouin, 49, of Rumford, died Tuesday after suffering serious injuries Monday afternoon when her minivan struck a parked dump truck on Route 108 in Peru, about two miles south of the Main Street intersection, according to Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Aylward.

Blouin was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Aylward said.

Blouin was engaged to Andy Philbrick of Rumford, who thanked family and friends Wednesday on his Facebook page for their support.

“Leah Blouin was the light of my life . . . I am heartbroken right now and still in a state of shock . . . words cannot always express how one feels in this time of grievance.”

He said he fell in love with her vitality and spark of life.

“She had so much compassion for what she did,” Philbrick said. “She was always ready and excited to take on new challenges in her career and life. She had an amazing sense of patience and uncanny ability to help others in need, and I think that was one of her attributes that attracted me to her.”

Philbrick said Leah was the perfect companion for him.

“She made me laugh, she made me cry,” he said. “We shared joy and pain together. She was truly an amazing human being, I’m sure I will add and share more as time goes on.”

Philbrick’s sister, Caroline Philbrick, said Andy and Leah first connected over Facebook. “Andy knew her from being in the same graduating class as his older brother, Jeff.”

Leah lived in Tennessee at that time and the next summer they met when she stayed at the camp of her parents, Willy and Peggy Blouin, at Worthley Pond in Peru.

“They just hit it off after that, Caroline said. “They were meant for each other. They really made each other happy.”

Caroline said Blouin, who worked at Oxford County Mental Health in Rumford and at Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation in Canton, is also an organ donor.

“I believe her mother was an advocate for organ donation, so that’s where she got that from,” Caroline said.

As a tribute to Leah, Caroline said, “I’m going to be an organ donor now, and I think more people should. They say a person can save up to eight lives, depending on what organs they can donate.”

Caroline said her mom had her 83rd birthday last Saturday, and Leah and Andy visited her parents’ home for the celebration.

“We were so glad we were able to see her before she passed,” Caroline said.

Jeff Philbrick said his brother and Leah became engaged on Valentine’s Day this year and anticipated getting married in 2019. “She was the same person I remembered from high school, full of life and a smile on her face. They were great for each other and made a great couple.”

Hope Fallon also remembered Leah.

Reading what she wrote of her friend, Fallon said, “She was a light here on earth. To me, sent to show us that nothing is unobtainable if we just try. Her loving, giving heart has spread joy and laughter to many more than she knows. The memories of shopping trips, starting bonfires and our beautiful friendship will be shared always. Life, laughter and love, my friend.”

Fallon also spoke about Keith Grassette, who was Leah’s best friend, but was too emotional to talk about Leah.

She said he posted a picture of the two of them on Facebook with the words to the song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

“That is his memory of Leah. It was one of their favorite songs,” Fallon said.

On his Facebook page, Grassette wrote, “My closest friend since childhood . . . My sister from another Mister . . . Taken from us far too soon. Rest in peace Leah.”

Leah Blouin is pictured with her fiance, Andy Philbrick of Rumford. (Submitted photo)