Evangeline M. (Blanchette) Bissonnette

MILLINOCKET AND PORTLAND - Evangeline (Blanchette) Bissonnette, 93, died Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Residences surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 26, 1921 in Frenchville, Maine, the daughter of Leandre and Emilie (Labrie) Blanchette. She moved to Millinocket around 1944 and worked as a chambermaid at the Old Great Northern Hotel. She met the love of her life, George J. Bissonnette, when he returned from the war and she was working for his parents. She married George on July 8, 1946. While raising her family of 10 children she was active in her church and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing. Evangeline was predeceased by her parents and 6 siblings; her husband George; 2 sons Ray Thomas and Leo Patrick. She is survived by her children, Sandra and her husband Eugene (Bob) Willard of Millinocket, Sister Rita-Mae Bissonnette, RSR of Portland, Evelyn Bissonnette of Columbus, OH, Sheila Bissonnette and her partner, Betsy Fodor of Decatur, GA, John and wife Diane of Poland, G. Joseph and wife, Christine, of New Sharon, Peter and wife, Nancy of Fairfield, CA, and MaryEllen and husband, Roger Bedard, of Gilbert, AZ; daughter-in-law, Susan Bissonnette of Old Town; "adopted daughter," Mary McPherson of Alna and "adopted son" Joe Mitchell of Westbrook; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residences, especially those on Unit C, for their attentive care to their mother during her 12 years of residency. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral chapel at 10:15 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, Maine. Burial will be on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 12:00 noon in the family lot at Millinocket Cemetery, Medway Road, Millinocket. Those who wish may make contributions in Evangeline's memory to: Katahdin Area Support Group, PO Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462-0374 or St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence Pastoral Care Fund, 1133 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04103-3629.Online condolences may be expressed below.