Jeanne T. Clavette Martin Obituary (1927 - 2016)

Winslow, Maine – Jeanne T. Clavette Martin, 89, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016, with her daughters by her side at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, after an extended illness. Jeanne’s faith above all was of utmost importance to her and she lived her entire life reflecting God’s will. Jeanne was born in Van Buren, Maine, on June 13, 1927, a daughter of William and Eugenie (Poirier) Clavette. Jeanne’s early years were spent working alongside her siblings in their dad’s soda pop business, Silver Spring Bottling Works. Her school years were spent at St. Louis School in Fort Kent, graduating in 1945. After graduating, she went to work for Claude Theriault at Claude’s Electric and remained there for several years until she married. She often visited cousins at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home in Bakerbrook, New Brunswick, which is where she met her husband, O’Neil, who was employed there. Jeanne was a tomboy at heart but also a very talented cook, seamstress, crafter, and artist. Once their kids were grown and out of the house, she filled her time volunteering many hours at St. John’s Parish and at the school’s Christmas craft fair; cleaning offices for Dr. Thomas Chasse; and took up oil painting. But the pastime she loved the most was spending time with her grandbabies. We could call on her any time of day and/or spur of the moment to babysit and she was always, always available. Jeanne and Neil were married June 26, 1954, and lived for a short time in New Brunswick. Once they married, Mom became a housewife, and a year later they started their family. After the birth of their first son, they left Canada and northern Maine and moved south to the Waterville, Maine area for better job opportunities for Neil. They soon settled in Winslow, Maine where they had three more children. Jeanne was predeceased by her loving husband, Neil, on June 7, 2016; her parents, Willie and Eugenie; six siblings, Alice O’Keefe and husband Raymond, Lorette Clavette, Toussaint Clavette and wife Bernadette, Annette Clavette, Yvette Barr, and Thomas Clavette; Neil’s parents, Benoit and Laura Martin; and his siblings, Rita Pinnette and husband Patrick, Bernadette Beaulieu and husband Honore, Lionel Martin and wife Patsy, Jean-Maurice Martin, Roland Martin, and Antoine Martin, all of Canada. She is survived by sons, Roger Martin and spouse Cindy of Houlton, Maine, Joseph Martin and spouse Nancy of Schertz TX; daughters, Lorraine Lessard and spouse Brian of South China, Maine, Gisele Carey and spouse Jim of Fairfield, Maine; grandchildren, Jammie Keane of Massachusetts, Jessica Remscheid and spouse James of Memphis TN, Jeremy Martin of San Antonio TX, Jacob Martin of Schertz TX, Shauna Exner and spouse James of China, Maine, Josh Lessard of Palermo, Maine, Adam Carey of Auburn, Maine and Spencer Carey of Fairfield, Maine; six great-grandchildren, Jason and Julianna Remscheid, Bryce, Lexi and Riley Lessard, and Trevor and baby girl Exner; her sister Anne Clavette of Fort Kent, Maine; sisters-in-law, Anita Clavette of Fort Kent, Maine, Denise Martin and Marjolaine Martin, both of Canada; brothers-in-law, Yvon Martin and spouse Nilda, Normand Martin, and Rosaire Martin all of Canada; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to send out special thanks to all those people who provided support during the last couple years – Dr. Roland Knausenberger and staff, Lakewood Continuing Care Center and the amazing staff who cared for her, and the staff at Goudreau’s Retirement Inn. Your support, care and compassion was greatly appreciated. Visiting hours will take place Friday, December 2, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow, Maine. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery on Grove Street in Waterville, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter; 383 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074