Simonne W. Rivard

Simonne (Sim) Rivard, 87, a lifelong resident of Sanford, Maine, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Sim was born on December 4, 1936, in Sanford, Maine, to Albert and Marie Lavalley. She graduated from Saint Ignatius High School and married her lifelong companion, Louis (Louie) Rivard, on November 27, 1954. Together, they raised five children while also working full time in the family business. Sim ended her business career as Treasurer of Lavalley Lumber in 1989. During her tenure in the business, Sim developed a strong personality, as one might expect from a person who succeeded in a business world less accustomed to including women and, at that time, dominated by men. But she also had a much softer side. Much like her father, Albert, Sim was an exceedingly generous person and was willing to help anyone in need, whether it required financial or emotional support. She committed to providing a college education for all of her grandchildren and was funding multiple college students most years. She always had time for family members who were grieving a loss, whether it be a family member, friend or special pet. In retirement, Sim and Louie wintered in Florida where they enjoyed walking, biking and card games with friends and family. Sim loved being in charge and was very committed to “running bingo” in her winter community. Sim and Louie particularly enjoyed playing dominos with visiting family and friends and were always focused on winning! Sim transferred her love of home gardening to their winter home but always looked forward to returning home to Sanford to maintain her flower beds and shrubs, go strawberry picking to make strawberry jam, and search the woods and blueberry plains for native blueberries for blueberry cake, mostly with a close family member. Sim was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Phillip Lavalley, her beloved husband of sixty-six years, Louie, her son Mark Rivard and her daughter Nancy LaRoche. She is survived by her sister Sylvia Libbey, her sister-in-law Marlene Lavalley, her children Marilyn St Jean, Michael (Anne) Rivard and John (Michelle) Rivard, her grandchildren Jason (Erin) and Matthew (Courtney) St Jean, Stuart and Benjamin (Jane) Rivard, Jessica (Derick) Pouliot, Kevin (Brianna) LaRoche, Kimberly (Ryan) Walsh, Brandon (Justine) Rivard and Kristen (Kory) Parker, and her great grandchildren Austin, Emma, Alex, Annie, Ava, Nora and Sam. Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 10th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Black Funeral Homes, 580 Main Street, Springvale, Maine, with a graveside service following at 3:00 PM at Saint Ignatius Cemetery, Berwick Road, Sanford, Maine. Family and friends are invited to a light luncheon following the services at the Sanford Country Club. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages interested parties to donate to York County Community Action Corporation’s Children’s Services Department which funds Head Start and Early Head Start programs (https://yccac.org/donate/). You can donate by clicking the link below.