Helen Evelyn Ouellette

PORTLAND – Helen Evelyn Ouellette, 100, formerly of 25 Shank Street, Lewiston, Maine, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at The Cedars in Portland, Maine. She was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, on June 18, 1921, the daughter of John and Mary Janisieski. She married the love of her life, Paul M. Ouellette, at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield on Nov. 29, 1945, and would have celebrated their 77th anniversary this year. After their wedding they relocated to Lewiston where they raised their family. Helen was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Lewiston.

Receiving her associate degree in business, she was an administrative secretary at Bates Mill. She and her husband, Paul, were proprietors of a children’s shop on Lisbon Street, named Joyland. She then became the manager of Owen Moore, a womenswear store, at the Auburn Mall.

She was an avid baker and gardener, and a member of the Red Hatters Society. She will be fondly remembered, by the local community, as the “Pumpkin Lady” who founded the Parade of Jack-O’-Lanterns raising donations for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. She was a doting mother and grandmother.

She is survived by two sons; Peter of Napa, Calif. and Michael of Auburn, and three daughters; Pauline Alighieri of Marshfield, Mass., Diane Laroche of Truckee, Calif., and Anne of Ashland, Mass. Also six grandchildren; Nicole Laroche Bustamante, Matthew Alighieri, Michael Laroche, Jeffrey Alighieri, Vanessa and Evan Ouellette, and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Paul, sons, Daniel and John, son-in-law Roger Laroche, a brother, and three sisters. She will be lovingly remembered for her kindness, compassion, and grace.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 3, 5:00-8:00 p.m., at Albert & Burpee Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 4, 11 a.m., at Holy Family Church, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery.



Memories may be shared at http://www.albert-burpee.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Maine Medical Center,

22 Bramhall St.,

Portland, ME. 04102 http://www.fundraising.mmc.org.



Helen Evelyn Ouellette