LEWISTON – Lorraine Yvette Thibault, 81, formerly of South Main Street, Auburn, died peacefully with her family by her side on Nov. 1, at Ouellette’s Adult Foster Home, Rosedale Street. Throughout her childhood and early adult life, she enjoyed working by her father’s side at the family’s general store, Prospect Hill Market.

She always had many joyous stories to share with her nieces and nephew about family life during the Depression years and World War II. After graduating from Edward Little High School class of 1940, she worked as deputy clerk for the city of Auburn, and was also employed in the Auburn City Manager’s Office as a bookkeeper.

Miss Thibault left employment with the city of Auburn and established the family restaurant business, Lorraine and Guilda’s, that operated on South Main Street in Auburn for 14 years. Many New Auburn residents still talk of the then popular family eatery known for its home cooked meals and ice cream sodas.

She always enjoyed treating her customers with festive holiday decorations and delicious holiday specials. Upon the sudden death of her father, Miss Thibault, decided to close the restaurant and accepted a position with the Sun Journal in the State News Department.

In 1959, she left the Sun Journal to take a position as executive director of the L/A Chapter of the American Red Cross. She continued working in the capacity until 1966. During her last three years working for the Red Cross and taking care of her ailing mother, Miss Thibault completed a bachelor’s of science degree in education conferred by the University of Maine, Orono.

She then accepted a teaching position at Walton Junior High School in Auburn, teaching both French and English until her retirement.

Miss Thibault was a member of St. Louis Parish. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: spending time with her family including her sister and brother-in-law, Guilda and Roland Desjardins and her nieces and nephew.

Throughout her life, she made a point of visiting and bringing joy to elderly and ailing family members and friends. She especially enjoyed nature, music, gardening, antiques, home remodeling, and visits from her former students. She lived her entire life at the family home where she was born.

She is survived by her devoted sister and brother-in-law, Guilda and Roland A. Desjardins; nieces, Louis and her husband, Paul Cote, and Denise Desjardins, all of Lewiston; nephew, Roger Desjardins; special friend, Paul O’Clair, of North Andover, Mass.; her pet cat, “Bummer,” a feral cat that she rescued, now resides with the Roland Desjardins’ family; she also leaves lifelong neighbor and devoted friend, Marilyn Wilkinson, former high school friend, Mrs. Alitha Blackmore and former friend and co-worker, Mrs. Irene Parker, all who visited and kept her company during her final months at Ouellette’s Adult Foster Home.

She was predeceased by her parents, Eugene and Yvonne (Sirois) Thibault.

Miss Thibault will be sadly missed by family, friends, and former students. The family wishes to extend a warm, heartfelt, and sincere thank you to Ron Ouellette, Donna Bechard, Marjorie Ouellette, and all other healthcare providers and residents at Ouellette’s Adult Foster Home.