Carmen Gabrielle (Michaud) De Giovanni

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carmen Gabrielle (Michaud) De Giovanni, 88, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025 with family at her side during a brief hospitalization at Atrium Hospital in Charlotte, N.C. She was a Maine native and long time resident of the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Carmen was born Feb. 14, 1937. She was one of 10 children of Elzebert and Maria Michaud of Lewiston. She grew up helping care for her younger siblings, graduated from Lewiston High School, and worked at Turmenne’s Sewing Center where she was promoted to manager.

She married Ray Pinard in 1964 and they established their home in Auburn where they raised their two sons, Tim and Dean. She supported her husband in his business in the shoe industry, L&A Heel. She was a devoted mother of boys, and could often be found driving Tim to his favorite fishing holes or driving Dean to the emergency room for stitches after his latest boyhood adventures. She enjoyed living close to her large and ever-growing Michaud family, remaining a devoted daughter and sister, welcoming her sibling’s spouses, and becoming an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She enjoyed boating on the ocean, loved to bargain shop, remained a talented seamstress, and spent untold time tending to her gardens, berry patches, and flowers.

She watched with pride as her sons graduated from college and launched their own careers. With an empty nest and post-divorce, she treated herself to warmer winters in Jupiter, Fla. Here, she found love and companionship with Jack De Giovanni and was remarried in 2010. During this life phase, she warmly welcomed her daughters-in-law Jennifer and Elizabeth, and joyfully became a grandmother with the births of Emma and Jacob. Her grandchildren fondly remember her frequent visits to their home in New Hampshire, as well as their summer stays at “Nonni’s house” in Maine. She was thrilled to have her home filled with children again. They recall watching “Wheel of Fortune”, being treated to local favorites like Luiggi’s spaghetti and Hodgman’s frozen custard, and learning to pick berries and grow vegetables in her beloved gardens.

After Jack’s death and a health event, Carmen moved her winter home to be near Dean and Elizabeth in Charlotte, N.C. Here, she was able to establish new plantings and new connections. For as long as possible, she continued to summer in Maine. In recent years, she moved year-round to an apartment at MerryWood on Park in Charlotte, N.C. where she could enjoy the company and activities of the MerryWood community. Her family would like to extend their appreciation for the exceptional care of the dedicated MerryWood staff. Dean and Elizabeth were devoted family support to her during her aging years. Her days were brightened by their frequent visits, outings to their home, playing with their dogs, and the joyful visits of their young nieces and nephew.

Carmen is survived by her sons Timothy (Jennifer) of Wolfeboro, N.H. and Dean (Elizabeth) of Charlotte, N.C.; her grandchildren Emma and Jacob Pinard of Wolfeboro, N.H.; her siblings Rita (Bob) Parent, Antonio Michaud, Laurette (Ray) Sutton, Yvette Michaud, Terry (Bruce) Parker, Anita (Carl) Delekto, and Andy (Debbie) Michaud; as well as generations of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack De Giovanni; her parents; brothers Leo Michaud and Normand Michaud; and in-laws Zenon Belair, Jackie Michaud, and Robert Parent.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Monday, June 2, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner St., Auburn, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn. Committal Prayers will follow at St. Peter Cemetery, Lewiston.

Please visit http://www.FortinPinetteGroupAuburn.com to sign Carmen’s guestbook and leave memories and condolences for the family.

Whether it was rearing children or raising plants, Carmen’s life was filled with caring, nurturing, and the joy of new growth, so, in lieu of flowers, her family encourages you to plant and tend to something that brings you joy, or to gift fresh produce or flowers to someone whose day needs brightened.