1921 – 2003

LEWISTON – Harriet Provencher, 82, of Rumford, passed away Friday, Nov. 28, with her children and grandchildren at her side at Central Maine Medical Center.

Born in Mars Hill on May 5, 1921, she was the daughter of George and Harriet Esty Bartlett.

On Jan. 13, 1940, she married Harold J. Provencher of Mexico and together they raised seven children.

She graduated from Mexico High School in 1939 where she had captained the Mexico Pinto’s basketball team. For many years she worked as a CNA at the Rumford Community Hospital and the Cozy Inn Nursing Home.

She was an avid Mountain Valley sports fan, attending many of her grandchildren’s games, and in 2003, attended the basketball tournaments in Augusta to cheer on the Lady Falcons. She loved the Celtics, Patriots and the Red Sox, especially Pedro.

She enjoyed playing beano, often several times a week, the last time being Nov. 22, the day before she became ill. She was an avid cribbage player and everyone hauled wood but her. She loved Tina’s baked haddock, her annual trip to the Fryeburg Fair and her family gatherings, especially Christmas Eve and the Fourth of July.

She lived for her family and was involved in every aspect of her children and grandchildren’s lives. She was their strength and everyone’s “Nan.”

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Harold Provencher, in 1996; two sons, Harold Jr. in 1958, and Leroy in 2003; her parents; four brothers, Kenneth, Murray, Leroy and Harold Bartlett; and one sister, Sylvera Bartlett.

She is survived by one sister, Patricia Gentilozzi of Waterbury, Conn.; two sons, Edwin “Bummy” Provencher of Rumford, and Steve Provencher and his wife Janet of Mexico; three daughters, Becky Scott and her husband Bill of Peru, Sis Haynes and her husband Donny of Mexico, and Brenda Rumley and her fiancé Bub Desroches of Dixfield; 10 grandchildren, Raymond Provencher, Gary and Marcie Provencher, Ed “Bum” Provencher Jr., Michael and Ann-Marie Provencher, Mindy and Mark Gorham, Buddy and Nikki Hosie, Chad Haynes, Erin Provencher, Yachia Provencher, and Amy and Ryan Goodwin; nine great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Tony Provencher; a very dear friend, Jeannie Rivard, along with many other special friends.