AUBURN – Therese Rousseau Goulet was a 94-year-old “Mainer” who died of natural causes on Feb. 14, 2021. She had spent the afternoon with a dear friend tending to indoor plants and flowers at her home.

“Terry” is survived by five children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Born at home to Josephine and Joseph Rousseau on Jan. 17, 1927 in a snow blizzard, she was the youngest of 11 children. Terry declared early on that she was “captain of her own ship.” Her ship was based in Lewiston but for the last 40 years it was docked during the summers in Harpswell, Maine. In addition to her personal crew, Terry’s “Friend Ship” provided a home to many over the years: a niece wanting to complete school in the area; to parents needing additional care; to religious clergy seeking recreational retreats; to neighborhood kids looking for lunch and a safe hangout; to her children’s pals; to a college graduate sorting out his future; for business people conferencing to discuss strategy; everyday folks looking for comradeship and downtime; an autistic grandchild requiring extra care and many friends from all over with a concentration of representation from Lewiston-Auburn and Harpswell, Maine.

Terry welcomed aboard many friends, friends of friends, relatives, friends of relatives and folks from many walks of life seeking camaraderie. The camaraderie à la Terry aboard the “Friend Ship” involved storytelling, sharing laughter and sometimes tears but always great food prepared with love and care.

Terry is reunited with her co-Captain and dance partner Maurice L. Goulet. Terry’s “Friend Ship” lives on for those who boarded it retaining many life lessons from its Captains.

Terry aka “Mimi” is survived by her children, John Goulet (Jane), James Goulet (Shirley), Marie Goulet (Tim Kean), Marc Goulet (Louise) and Anne Goulet (David Fenderson); nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and cherished friends. Terry was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Maurice L. Goulet, 10 siblings and a brother-in-law, Fernand Goulet.

Wake Services are set for Friday, April 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Fortin Group, 70 Horton Street, Lewiston, Maine. The funeral mass service is scheduled at XX am at Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus St., Lewiston. A noontime Cemetery service will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Rd., Lewiston. Covid guidelines XXXXX

Biographical Sketch

• Attended the Crowley one room schoolhouse.

• Graduated in 1944 from Lewiston High School at the age of 17.

• At 17 years old, joined the Woman’s Cadet Army Corps for Nursing and graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Lewiston.

• Passed the State Exams and became a registered Nurse in 1947.

• “Crashed” a Lewiston Armory “Big Band Dance” and met Maurice L Goulet.

• Married Maurice L. Goulet at 6 AM on June 5, 1948 in a rainstorm.

• Gave birth to identical twins on November 4, 1949. Her other children were born in 1953, 1960 and 1965.

• Her parents lived with Terry’s family for 8 years.

• By 1960, Terry was an active business partner in Maurice Goulet’s businesses as the Office Manager.

• Terry was also very rooted in the community, volunteering for many years:

o Taught the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at Holy Family Church in Lewiston for 8 years.

o Led the Girl Scout Troop associated with the Holy Family Parrish for 4 years.

o Was a lifetime member of the Patronesses of St Mary’s Hospital including acting Chairwoman of the Hospitality-Charity Ball.

o Remained a lifetime member of the St Ann Sodality of Holy Family Church in Lewiston: recording secretary for 6 years, President for 2 years and Mistress of the Mother of the Year and Sodalist of the Year for 12 years.

o Contributed to the organization and execution of Holy Family Church Charitable Fall Fairs.

• In the 1970’s, Terry provided special day care for her autistic grandchild. A few of her developmental methods were adopted by Spurwink.

• Board of Director for 6 years overseeing the justification and execution of a new YWCA Center on East Avenue in Lewiston.

For your civic and charitable services, we salute you Terry Goulet. Walt Whiteman said it best:

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,

“Terry / Mimi” we cherish you in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Therese R Goulet would deeply appreciate a donation

In memory of Therese R Goulet, Jon Goulet’s grandmother, who was very appreciative of Spurwink’s dedicated work with autistic individuals:

Spurwink

901 Washington Ave.

Suite 100

Portland, ME 04103

or https://spurwink.org/donate/

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