Irene M. Fortier

Irene M. (Leblanc) Fortier, 88, of La Mesa, CA and formerly of Sanford, passed away peacefully at the home of her niece, Denise and Roger Jr. Deering in East Waterboro on Monday, June 21, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She came to Maine seven weeks ago in preparation of attending her great nephew's ordination to the priesthood this coming weekend. Born in Sanford on May 11, 1922, Irene was a daughter of the late Alfred and Laura (Boivin) Leblanc.In 1945 she married Noel J. Fortier and in 1954 they moved to California to find work. She was a communicant of Santa Sophia Roman Catholic Church in Spring Valley, CA. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and an avid Bunko and Bingo player.She is predeceased by her husband, Noel, who passed away in 1999; a son Dennis, who passed away in 2008 and a grandson, Damian who passed away this past year. She is also predeceased by her sisters, Theresa Richards and Gabrielle and her husband Gerard Legere; her brothers, Leo Leblanc and Fernand Leblanc and his wife, Carla.She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Rebecca C. Fortier of Sun City, CA; a granddaughter, Denise Greening and her husband, Marc of Albuquerque, NM; great grandsons, Mitchell and Jacob of Albuquerque, NM; brothers, Rene Leblanc and his wife, Adrienne of Sanford, Raymond Leblanc and his wife, Gloria of Greenwich, CT, Roger Leblanc and his wife, Carol of Cadillac, MI; brothers-in-law, Rene Richards of East Greenwich, RI, Robert Fortier of FL, Paul Fortier and his wife, Madeline of Rochester, NH; sisters-in-law, Blanche Fortier of Somersworth, NH; Gabrielle Fortier of Dover, NH, Winnie Fortier of Milton, NH; three godchildren, Renee Young, Roger Fortier and Denise Deering. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins on the east coast, whom she visited with regularly.A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by her great nephew, Fr. Adam Young on Tuesday, June 29 at 10AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford. Burial will be at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Pt. Loma, CA.Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford, Maine.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com