OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Anita L. (Thibodeau) Paradis passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Old Orchard Beach, on Dec. 29, 2024. She was born in Lewiston, on March 28, 1943, daughter of Charles and Fernande (Boucher) Thibodeau. She was educated in Lewiston schools, graduating from St. Dom’s in 1960. She married her high school sweetheart, Maurice (Moe) R. Paradis on July 7, 1962. They raised three daughters and spent 62 wonderful years together as a devoted, fun-loving and much-loved couple.

Anita worked as a lab technician at St. Mary’s Hospital prior to starting a family. In 1978, she supported her husband Moe’s dream of buying and operating an independent retail pharmacy. They purchased State Drug in Portland and ran it for five years. Because their hearts belonged to their hometown of Lewiston, when the opportunity to manage The Medicine Shoppe for St. Mary’s Hospital presented itself, they happily gave up their daily commute to Portland to run The Medicine Shoppe on Sabattus Street in Lewiston and later bought the retail pharmacy from the hospital. Together, they truly valued caring for their customers and developed long-term relationships with many of them. They so appreciated their dedicated and hard-working staff.

While raising her family, Anita always prepared the most wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at their home. She and Moe planned yearly vacations in the summer by the water with family and friends. Later in life, Anita and Moe enjoyed traveling together. After retirement, they moved to Pine Point/Old Orchard Beach where they enjoyed Maine’s gorgeous seaside living nearby many of their lifelong friends.

Anita loved being a grandmother. Her relationship with her daughters and their spouses, her sister, her grandchildren, nephews and nieces and her many life-long friendships always kept her vivacious and ever-young. She was known for her warm smile, welcoming hospitality, caring heart, quick wit, and sense of style.

Anita was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Fernande Thibodeau and grandson, Eli. She will be dearly missed by her husband Moe, her daughters, Kim (Steve) Norbert, Kelley (Kevin) Massey and Lynne (Dan) Kuperstein, grandchildren, Abby, Emma, Harry, Alec and Max; sister Linda (Bob) McDonough; brother-in-law Ray (Kathy) Paradis, nephews, nieces and dear friends.

Memories may be shared with the family on Anita’s memorial page at http://www.albert-burpee.com.

On Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, the family will receive visitors from 10 to 10:45 a.m., at Holy Cross Church, located at 1080 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. Inurnment will occur in the spring at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston. The Funeral Mass will be broadcast live on the Prince of Peace Parish Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as on http://www.princeofpeace.me .

Arrangements are under the care of Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 253 Pine St., Lewiston, 782-7201.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anita’s memory to The Maine Children’s Cancer Program, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102, or to Best Buddies of Massachusetts at http://www.bestbuddies.org.