Dora B. Bourque

Dora Beatrice Bourque of Sanford, died peacefully at H.D. Goodall Hospital after a prolonged period of declining health on March 30th surrounded by her family. She was 3 days shy of her 87th birthday. Mrs. Bourque was born in Three Rivers, Massachusetts on April 2, 1921. She was the daughter of Marshall and Beatrice Mayotte and moved to Biddeford, Maine in 1930. Mrs. Bourque, like so many women of her generation, received very little formal education and left school after the 8th grade, to work in the mills in Biddeford to help support her family. Although her formal education was limited she was an extremely bright, well-read and articulate woman. She managed a household, raised 2 children and continued to work in the textile mills in Biddeford and Sanford 40 hours a week until her retirement. She met the love of her life, Omer, at a dance at the pier in Old Orchard Beach in 1944. She knew after the first date that he was going to be her future husband. They became engaged after 3 dates and married a short time later. Omer and Dora spent the next 62 years of their lives together in what can only be described as a very happy marriage. They were the best of friends and enjoyed spending winters in Florida until Omer's health declined. Although her health declined after Omer's death in 2006, she maintained her sense of humor and a very positive attitude. She enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren almost on a daily basis and was a very positive force in their lives, dispensing sage advice when solicited and recounting stories of her life with Omer. She also became a member of the Newton Center family and was the recipient of great kindness, love and affection from the entire staff who cared for her the last 16 months of her life. Mrs. Bourque is survived by her daughter, Claire Brooks and husband Micheal; a son, Ronald Bourque and his wife Ann. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Michelle Hersom and her husband Aaron; Debra Legere and husband RJ; Lisa Chekan and her husband Edward; Ellen Johnson and her husband Sean; Emily Burks and her husband Matthew; seven great-grandchildren Jessica, Samantha, Alex, Sarah, Emma, Hanna and the newest great-grandchild Laura who arrived a week before her passing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, St. Ignatius Church in Sanford. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford.To leave a message of condolence please use the "condolences" tab to the left.