Irene M. (Fortier) LaBranche

LEWISTON – Irene M. (Fortier) LaBranche, 87, a resident of Kevin Street, died Thursday evening, Sept. 1, 2022 after a brief illness.

She was born in Chisolm, Jan. 31, 1935, the daughter of Adelbert and Alice (Beaudette) Fortier.

She attended St. Rose of Lima Grammar School in Chisolm, High School at the Sacred Heart Academy in Jackman, and obtained a B.A. in Education from St. Joseph’s College in Standish. She taught school at Sacred Heart in Auburn and at the Holy Family School in Lewiston, mostly the 1st grade, as a Sister of St. Joseph de Lyon from 1956-1972. She was known as Sister Paul Theresa before the Sisters changed to their birth names.

Irene was released from her vows in 1972 and married Donald LaBranche June 30, 1972. For a few years she was self-employed as a babysitter at home and subsequently engaged herself as a clerk typist for various Home Health Organizations until she retired in 1996.

Her interests were reading, making, puzzles, crafts, cross-country skiing, ice skating, playing tennis, bicycling, Cooking, and mostly helping her friends and relatives take care of their children.

Survivors include her husband; three sisters, Connie Pinette, Florence Labrecque, and Rose Levasseur, all from Lewiston; three brothers, Roger and wife Lois from Jay, Romeo and wife Annette from Jay. and Paul from Livermore. She is also survived by their children and grandchildren.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her sisters Julie and Eloise, her brothers-in-law Arthur Bubier, Lucien Vachon, Raoul Pinette, Ronald Labrecque, and Vince Levasseur; a sister-in-law, Marlene; also a niece, Katelyn Collins and two nephews, Rocher Vachon and Randy Bubier.

Visitation will be held Tuesday Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. until the time of service 11 a.m. at Pinette Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway Lewiston. Committal prayers to follow the service at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lewiston.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com

Memorial donations in Irene’s Memory may be made to through

Androscoogin Home Care and Hospice

13 Strawberry Ave.

Lewiston, ME 04240