1923 – 2013

AUBURN — Edwina D. Pontbriand, 89, of Auburn, died Saturday, Nov. 23, at Schooner Estates, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Island Pond, Vt., on Dec. 6, 1923, a daughter of the late Edward and Lydia (Henry) DuBois. She was educated in Island Pond and graduated from Brighton High School, Class of 1942. She then went on to graduate from Bureby Rose Beauty Academy in Springfield, Mass.

Edwina married the love of her life, Leo Pontbriand, on Oct. 11, 1948. He predeceased her on April 26, 1998. She worked at the Massachusetts Woman’s Defense Corp in Springfield, Mass., during WWII, at the Peck’s Building as a beautician and worked for many years alongside her husband, Leo, at Pontbriand’s Furniture.

Edwina was a member of St. Louis Church, where she sang in the choir for 37 years, a lifetime member of Ladies of St. Anne, a member of the Woman’s Literary Union, was a past president of United Commercial Travelers Ladies Group and a Girl Scout leader for 15 years. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed golfing, camping, traveling and gardening, and she was an excellent seamstress. She also enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She leaves two daughters, Laurie Chapman and her husband, Scott, of Cumberland, and Maureen Mooney and her husband, John, of Auburn; five grandchildren, David and his wife, Martha, Abby and Kimberly Chapman and Bryan and Benjamin and his wife, Kristi Mooney; two great-grandchildren, Sydney and John Mooney; a sister, Luwina Allard and husband, Francis, of Vermont; and a sister-in-law, Lorraine DuBois of Vermont.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Philip, Danis and Dewey DuBois.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Edwina’s life by visiting her guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.