1930 – 2016

AUBURN —

, 86, of Jefferson Street in Auburn, died Tuesday evening, Nov. 1, at the Hospice House with family at her side.

She was born in Lewiston on Oct. 7, 1930, one of three children born to Romuald and Imelda (Bilodeau) Samson. Fleurette was educated in local schools and remained a lifelong resident of this community. On Oct. 8, 1949, she married Jean-Marie Rioux and together they settled in Auburn to raise their family. He predeceased her on May 16, 2011. Fleurette worked for many years in clothing retail as a sales associate at JCPenney until her retirement.

As she and Jean-Marie raised their family, she was a member of Sacred Heart Church and in later years, attended the former St. Mary’s Church for a time and more recently, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Fleurette greatly enjoyed spending time with her family, children and grandchildren and was a very avid reader. In younger years, she enjoyed walking at Mt. Apatite in Auburn. She also enjoyed going out to eat, taking Sunday drives to see nature’s scenery and fall foliage and shopping for antiques. She also thoroughly enjoyed the company of her cat, Sassy, and dogs Cocoa and Bosco. Fleurette was a loving, devoted and hardworking wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

She leaves behind her five children, Ronald Rioux and wife, Brenda, of South Portland, Gerald Rioux and wife, Patricia, of Leeds, Nancy Rioux, Real Rioux and wife, Lorraine, of Falmouth and Dottie Hutchinson and husband, Dana, of Auburn; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jacqueline Mathieu of Lewiston; and three nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Jean-Marie; a brother, Fernand Samson; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Barry.

Online condolences may be shared and a video tribute may be viewed at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.