Lucienne Lacasse Obituary (1914 - 2015)

Lucienne Amanda Amelia (Cayouette) LaCasse died peacefully at her home in Skowhegan, on Oct. 23, 2015. She was born on July 3, 1914, in Waterville, the first of three daughters born to Arthur and Cora Cayouette. After the untimely death of her father in 1919, Lucienne and her two sisters moved with their mother to Skowhegan where she lived for the rest of her life.Lucienne was a very good student and graduated from Skowhegan High School and Bloomfield Academy at the age of 15 in 1930. She was the salutatorian of the first graduating class at the new high school. She wanted to attend college but her mother felt she was too young, so she then worked in several secretarial/administrative positions in Skowhegan. She competed in a number of typing contests throughout the state, and was proud of several victories. Several of her children now credit her typing skills for their academic success, even typing papers for them when they were in college. Lucienne was married to Ralph LaCasse on June 21, 1937, and moved to the home where she passed away 78 years later. She was an avid reader and took her children to the Skowhegan library each week in the summer to make sure that they would have new books to read. She made sure that her children knew that education was important and always celebrated academic achievement with family parties. She also told them to treat everyone as you would like to be treated, which was sage advice. She was very proud that all of her children attended college. She was a superb cook and baker, and every meal included a freshly baked pie, cake or cookies. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Skowhegan High School athletic teams, spending many freezing days in the stands cheering for them. She always attended band concerts and her children's other school activities. She loved Notre Dame football and The Patriots, watching every game that she possibly could and cheering from the living room couch at age 101! She did crossword puzzles well into her 90s and crocheted many beautiful afghans for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.Lucienne became a member of the Daughters of Isabella in June, 1930 and she held many officer positions, including Past Regent. In 2013 she was recognized for her 83 years of service to the organization, longer than anyone else in the state of Maine. She was a devout Catholic and encouraged her children to live by Christian principles of honesty, charity, industry and compassion. Lucienne attributed her longevity to daily prayer, along with daily walks and a daily glass of wine; a good combination of spirituality, secularity and pleasure.Lucienne and Ralph traveled widely after he retired in 1979 and their home was decorated with many mementos of trips to national parks, a train trip across Canada and foliage trips in New England. They also had been alpine skiers all of their lives, taking their children to Eaton Mountain and other areas every weekend. They continued to ski into their 70s and cross country skied into their 80s. Lucienne talked frequently in the last few years about skiing from where the armory is now located all the way to the Great Eddy. Lucienne and Ralph were married for 65 years until Ralph's death in 2002. She and Ralph had seven children, all of whom now reside in Maine: Constance Craven and her husband, Richard, John and his wife Susan, Nancy Gallant and her husband Walter, David and his wife Pandora, Richard and his wife Rachel, William and his wife Lucy, and Thomas and his wife Lorie. Lucienne will also be missed by her 18 grandchildren; many great and great-great-grandchildren; cousin Hortense Chagnon; nieces Carolyn Fultz and Aldea LeBlanc and nephews Arthur LeBlanc, Gerald LaCasse and his wife Dorothy..Our family would like to thank Cindy Gagnon and her wonderful, considerate team of caregivers who made it possible for our mother to remain in the home she loved these past five years.Family and friends are invited to visit from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery, Skowhegan. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave, Skowhegan. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity.