Estelle Dupuis Obituary (1925 - 2014)

OLD TOWN - Estelle V. Dupuis, beloved wife of the late Edgar J. Dupuis, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2014 at Orono Commons after a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. She was 89, born February 14, 1925 in Old Town, the daughter of the late Philip and Josephine (Paradis) Martin. Estelle and Edgar married January 4, 1947 in St. Joseph's Church, Old Town. Together, they worked at building a home in which to raise their six children. Their family came first in their lives, laying a loving foundation and instilling strong values that would carry them into their adult life. After her children were grown, she decided to work outside the home and was employed by the University of Maine for seventeen years, retiring in 1987. After retirement, she and Edgar were able to travel. They took some wonderful trips and cruises. For many years, she was an active member in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Old Town Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3381. The years prior to her illness were very joyful ones, taking pride in her family's accomplishments, and watching her cherished grandchildren grow. She loved to crochet and knit and made many beautiful items for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family. She took great pride in keeping a beautiful home and loved having it filled with family, friends, and lots of laughter. Most of her children lived away, so she was happiest when they came home to visit, or when she could visit them. To her family, the reality of her illness seemed to rob them of the mother and grandmother they once knew. It also seemed as if it was the "long goodbye". But in the real scheme of things, her illness wasn't long when compared to the love and happiness she brought to her loved ones her whole life long. She was truly loved by her family, and she will be missed enormously. Estelle is survived by her daughter, Janice Dennis and husband, William, of Woodbridge, Va.; and sons, Robert Dupuis and wife Karen, of East Lyme, Conn., Michael Dupuis and wife, Mary Ellen, of Old Town, Thomas Dupuis of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Mark Dupuis and wife, Sandra, of South Burlington, Vt. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Christopher and Scott Dennis of Virginia, Renee Lavallee and husband, Dennis, of Connecticut, Danielle O'Connor and husband, Jeffrey, of Connecticut, Lauren Dupuis of New York City, Stacey and Joseph Dupuis of Vermont, Matthew Dupuis and wife, Amy, of Eddington, and Kaleigh Dupuis of Bangor; very special great-grandsons, Rowan and Jace Dupuis of Eddington, and Jacob Edgar O'Connor of Connecticut; daughter-in-law, Sharon Dupuis Saucier of Old Town; her loving sister, Loretta Gallant of Old Town; sisters-in-law, Joseline LeBlanc of Old Town, and Juliette Paradis and husband, Maynard, of Old Town; brother-in-law, Romeo Dupuis and wife, Lois, of Milford; brother-in-law, Larry Spinney of Old Town; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, Estelle was predeceased by her beloved son, Jeffrey Dupuis; sisters, Claire Blanchard of Old Town, and Florine Lussier of New Hampshire; brothers, Amos (Pete) Coulombe and Philip Martin, Jr. of Old Town; sisters-in-law, May Coulombe, Jo Ann Martin, Mary Spinney, Delima Parady, Alice Dupuis, and Antoinette Dupuis; brothers-in law, Walter Gallant, Gerald Nadeau, Donald Blanchard, Adelard Lussier, Lionel Dupuis, Eudore Collins, Rudolph Parady, Francis LeBlanc, and Leo Thibadeau; and dear friend, Freddie Burke. The family wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation to the entire staff at Orono Commons for the many years of dedicated care given to Estelle, and for their respect and support given to Edgar during his many, devoted years of caring and visiting Estelle. They would also like to extend their appreciation to the doctors and staff at Penobscot Health Center and the staff from Beacon Hospice who tended to Estelle's care. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 1st from 5-7 pm at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 2nd at 10 am at Parish of the Resurrection, Holy Family Church, 429 Main St., Old Town, with Father Bill Labbe, celebrant. The burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Old Town. Immediately following the burial, family and friends are invited to Parish of the Resurrection, Holy Family Church for a luncheon and sharing of happy memories. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or visit www.alz.com.