GRAY – NEW GLOUCESTER – Constance L. Lessard, 82, of Gray – New Gloucester, passed away Thursday Jan. 10, 2019, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born March 14, 1936, in Lewiston, a daughter of the late Frank and Leonie (Bernier) Bilodeau. She graduated from Waterville, High School and attended Mt. Ida College in Massachusetts. On May 23, 1959, she married Andre Lessard. They were married for 36 years until he passed away in 1995.

At various times in her life she lived in Greenville, Maine, Florida, Old Orchard, Maine before moving to Gray, Maine in 2011 where she lived for the rest of her life. She was a devoted Catholic who was a member of St. Margaret’s Parish and then at St. Gregory’s Parish where she was a member of the choir in both parishes. At St. Gregory’s Parish, she was professed in the Secular Franciscan Order which made her a member of the Franciscan Fraternity of The Seven Joys of The Blessed Virgin Mary. In her younger years, she lived in a convent in Jackman, Maine with her sisters. This helped instill in her the great faith she had for the rest of her life.

She was also an awesome cook who loved having everyone around the dinner table, especially around the holidays. You could not ever escape her presence without her feeding you or giving you food to take with you before leaving her home. Above all else, Connie put the needs of others before her own. She had a generous heart and freely gave her time and energy to those around her. She went out of her way to make each of her children feel that they were the most special person in the family.

Connie is survived by six children, James David Slavens of Colorado, Michael Lessard of Gray, Todd Lessard of California, Brock Lessard and wife Christine of Florida, Paula Murano of Biddeford, Patrick Lessard and wife Melissa of New Hampshire; five grandchildren, Kaylee, Christopher, Mason, Nicholas, Ross; three great-grandchildren; a sister Lorraine Combs, a special sister-in-law Reina Lessard, and her two sons Jesse and Brett.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Andre Lessard and a daughter Katina Lessard.

The family would like to thank her caregivers for the past years, Melissa Brown and daughter Kayla, who were responsible for giving Connie great quality of life during her illness.

Visitation will be held at The Fortin Group Funeral Home in Lewiston on Wednesday Jan. 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7 :00 p.m. and on Thursday Jan. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at The Basilica Of Ss. Peter and Paul, upper church, in Lewiston. Committal Services will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston. A Service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 70 Horton St., Lewiston, Maine 04240. 784-4584

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