Jeannette Florida Whitten

Jeannette Florida (Chevalier) Whitten, 89, previously of Sanford and North Berwick, passed away on November 3, 2022, at her home in Biddeford, Maine, after a beautiful day surrounded by her loved ones. Jeannette was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September 2017 at age 84, underwent major surgery, and received multiple chemotherapy treatments. In May 2018, she was declared to be officially in remission. She gave cancer a valiant fight and was fortunate to beat the odds. She endured so much but with amazing grace. In early 2020, she began to show signs of a recurrence, and once again, with a positive attitude, she started the necessary treatments. She lived each day with gratitude for the extra time she had been given. In August 2022, she learned she had exhausted all available chemotherapy. Three days later, she went to the Lady Gaga concert at Fenway Park in keeping with how she lived her life. Those who saw her there were amazed and inspired by her. Little did they know what part of life’s journey she was on. She spent this past summer enjoying outings and visits with her family and close friends and could always feel their immense love. She had a smile that would brighten your day. She was always ready for fun. She was known for her love of animals, music, dancing, singing, ice cream, and black pepper. She was born Jeannette Florida Chevalier on July 11, 1933, in Sanford, Maine. She always lamented the long spelling of her first name. She was the youngest of six children and the daughter of Aime and Rose (Cote) Chevalier. She got her immense sense of humor from her mother, for whom she got a small tattoo of a rose on her ankle, which she proudly showed to everyone. Her grandparents immigrated to the United States from Canada in the early 1900s to work in the local textile mills. Her mother was the oldest of 18 Cote children, and her father was one of 10 Chevalier children. She was very proud of her Canadian-French heritage and spoke the language fluently. Her sister Gert (Lapierre) was amongst her best friends, co-conspirator, and “protector”; we are sure she is guiding her way in heaven. She had many wonderful neighborhood friends and cousins in Sanford. She especially cherished her friendships with Germaine “Gerry” Pelletier, which began as a young child, and Janice (Braley) Pease, whom she met working in the shoe shops—both friendships endured until her last days. Some of her fondest memories from childhood were made at Wells Beach at the family’s small cottages. She often told the story of her father and uncles bringing the small buildings to the beach from her hometown. Her days were spent digging for clams, setting pins as the only girl “pin setter” at the bowling alley in the Wells Beach Casino, and playing with her siblings and cousins. Wells Beach is also where her handsome sweetheart, Hermann, proposed marriage to her. As a mother, she brought her family to visit and make new memories there. And she would return each year to take in all the changes and reminisce. In 1956, she married Hermann Whitten of Limerick, Maine. Hermann was of English and Irish descent, and at that time, it was not typical for a French-Catholic girl to marry an Irishman. However, she was a trailblazer, and together they moved to Valley Road in North Berwick to build their home and raise a family. They would go on to have four children—in two sets. Steve and Cathy were born in 1957 and 1958, and David and Janice in 1967 and 1968. She always swore this was exactly how they planned it; however, most of her family and friends still thought they were utterly crazy to “start again.” In their early years, they worked in local shoe shops to provide for their family. They lived off their land, planting extensive gardens, cutting firewood to heat their home, and raising chickens and pigs. The family made many long-lasting friendships in the community they called home. In May 1976, her oldest son, Steve, passed away at age 18 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Her Catholic faith kept her strong, along with her oldest daughter and two younger children, who needed her love and guidance. Through her loss, she taught them to be resilient and to live a life of meaning and purpose. The loss of Steve drew her to other parents who had lost a child, with whom she always felt a special connection. By sharing her grief with them, she hoped they would find the courage to go forward and choose a life filled with peace, love, and happiness. In her younger years, she worked in the shoe shops of Sanford and nearby towns doing “piece work” and met many wonderful friends. At age 40, she returned to school and received her high school diploma. With the help of her lifelong friend, Gerry Pelletier, she applied to work for the State of Maine Department of Human Services (DHS), where she had a meaningful career as a social worker until her retirement. She really knew how to listen to people and offer encouragement for whatever they might be going through. She made extraordinary friends during her employment at DHS, with whom she had many great adventures, especially her “breakfast girls.” After she retired from DHS, Hermann and Jeannette moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, to enjoy the warmth during Maine’s winter months. They had countless fun times with friends, both old and new, as well as their visiting family. During this time, she began caring for Hermann, as he had developed Parkinson’s Disease. When he passed away in April 2008, they had been married for over 50 years. Each summer, she traveled back to Maine and New Hampshire to spend time closer to family and friends. She was a fixture behind the reception desk at her daughter and son-in-law’s campground (Whit’s End) in West Ossipee, NH, where she enjoyed getting to know the people who camped each year. She attended all the fun activities at the campground and was a regular at their karaoke nights in the pub. In August 2008, while attending a dance with friends, she caught the “eye” of a wonderful man--Richard (Dick) Houle, a widower from Sanbornville, NH, who had recently lost someone very special to him. They bonded over their losses and began to date. On February 6, 2011, they married at a favorite Florida restaurant in a hilarious ceremony. Their attire for this special day consisted of Richard dressing as a prisoner in a striped suit with the word “help” written on the front and a ball and chain around his ankle. She dressed in a fancy cougar outfit to remind everyone that he was younger than her (by less than a year). When those attending the ceremony were asked if they had any reason to believe “these two should not be joined in marriage,” the entire crowd spontaneously erupted with jeers! These two had enough laughs together to last a lifetime. Richard (Dick) became fondly known to her family and friends as “Daddy Richard.” Daddy Richard cared for her always, but especially during the five years she had cancer, for which her family and friends will always be grateful. Jeannette loved playing cards and made many bus trips to the casinos and a few trips to Las Vegas. She was a sly poker player, getting her early start at the family penny poker nights, but eventually, Texas Hold ‘em’ would become her favorite card game. She and Richard were a staple at the poker tables in Sarasota, Florida, where she often won. She could play a competitive hand of cribbage--most recently teaching and playing with her youngest grandson, Rowan. She was an avid animal lover and volunteer, a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and a fantastic mother. The best. Her favorite advice was always: “no regrets and no reruns.” When asked if she had any, she said maybe one or two. She advised all who would listen to find joy in the life they had been given. She was raised Catholic, believed in God and the afterlife with loved ones, and looked forward to reuniting with her family again. Jeannette is survived by her fun-loving husband and sweetheart of the past 14 years, Richard Houle of Biddeford, Maine (originally Haverhill, MA). Her dog, Happy, was a constant source of love and companionship. Her son, David Whitten (Lisa Fernandes) of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; daughters Cathy Lilly (Tim Hardy), of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Janice Hussey (Dan), of Kennebunk, Maine; three grandsons: Jarrod Lilly (Kristie); Gavin Lilly (Courtney); Rowan Whitten; and, step-granddaughter, Shauna Giroux (Derick); great-grandchildren: Eliza Lilly and Baker Lilly; step-great-grandchildren: Jordan, Carter, and Taylin Giroux. Godson: Ronald H. Cote, who spent much of his youth at her home and was like another son to her. Her Goddaughter, Claire (Chevalier) Hall, never failed to bring her joy and laughter. Her brother-in-law, Edward Whitten (Beverly) of Rochester, NH. Many cousins. And the best nieces and nephews a “Matante” and Aunt could wish for. Besides her immediate family, she is survived by the “children in her heart,” by whom she was lovingly referred to as “Ma.” Some were her children’s friends, and others she met and connected with during her life. She loved these “children,” and they her. (You all know who you are.) We are grateful to you for the love you brought her that filled her heart. She was predeceased by her husband, Hermann K. Whitten, in 2008; her oldest child, Steve E. Whitten, in 1976; her parents, brothers, sisters, and their spouses. Jeannette was the last surviving elder of her immediate Chevalier clan, so the torch is now passed on to her children, nieces, and nephews, who are just as crazy and fun-loving as she was. Stories about her will be told for years to come because she has left us with so much material to work with. There will be a graveside service on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11:00 am at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery on Berwick Road, Sanford, Maine. Her family welcomes all who would like to attend. Her life will be celebrated in July 2023 on what would have been her 90th birthday. She requested we throw her a big party with food, music, dancing, and most importantly, laughter! The date and place of her celebration will be announced. If you would like to make a charitable donation or volunteer your time in her memory, please choose any organization of your liking. She was partial to animal rescue organizations, such as The Pixel Fund of Maine (for whom she volunteered), greyhound rescue, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Finally, we would like to thank the incredible oncology team at SMHC for her care, as well as the guidance provided by Dr. Soultankis of Scarborough, and the amazing people of Hospice of Southern Maine. She always looked forward to seeing each of you. Our family truly appreciates how genuinely important her life was to you. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence click on Jeannette's Remember Page