Irene Juliette (Blanchette) Breton

SABATTUS – It is with sad hearts that the family of Irene Juliette (Blanchette) Breton announces her unexpected passing. She died at her home in Sabattus on Jan. 4, 2024. She was 88 years old and was the wife of Joseph “Ed” Breton who passed just last October.

Irene was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 1935, in Lewiston. She was the daughter of Theodore and Diane (Laberge) Blanchette, and is survived by her sister Helen (Blanchette) Marsh.

She has four children Richard Breton and his wife Doris, Daniel Breton and his wife Barbara, Kathlene Bourget and her husband David, and Cindy Gilman and her husband Elliot. She has nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Irene spent many of her years as a stay at home Mom, taking care of her children, but went on to create two businesses in her retirement years. The first, Ed & Irene’s Crafts, selling Ceramic Christmas decorations.

She served as the vice president of the Sabattus Senior Citizens where she organized trips before starting her own business, The Breton Group Tours. She loved all things creative and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, macrame and ceramics. She was a member of the New Auburn Seniors where she and her husband enjoyed playing Bingo every Monday.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., and from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, January 11, at Fortin’s Funeral Home in Auburn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon at 1 p.m., on Friday, January 12. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner Street Auburn, ME 04210, (207) 783-8545.