ALICE MARTIN

MADAWASKA – Alice Martin, 87, died peacefully Aug. 7, 2006, surrounded by her family, at her home. She was born Oct. 4, 1918, in Van Buren, the daughter of Pierre and Alvine (Laplante) Laplante. Alice was a loving and selfless woman. She gave her time and talents to those she loved, beginning with her many brothers and sisters. At an early age, she interrupted her education to help her parents care for the family. As a young woman, she served three parishes. Her strong work ethic and devotion to the church contributed greatly to the operational needs of each rectory. It was during these years that Alice met her husband, Ludger. They married and raised their own family of six children, recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. During the busy child-rearing years, Alice opened a dress shop in her home. She was a master seamstress and often provided custom tailoring to the delight of her loyal customers. Having a desire to graduate from high school, Alice took adult education courses and achieved her goal. She joined her youngest daughter, Rita, in proudly accepting her high school diploma from Madawaska High School in 1979. She acquired her CNA certificate in the process and worked for a time at High View Manor Nursing Home. Though she spent her life in devotion to others, her greatest devotion had been toward her husband, children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by those whose lives she has touched. Alice is survived by her loving husband, Ludger Martin of Madawaska; one son, Bernard and his wife, Pat, of Portland; five daughters, Marie Ronco and her husband, Glen, of Kingston, N.H., Isabel Porell and her husband, Bob, of Wyndam, Theresa Grage and her husband, Jim, of Everett, Wash., Helen Merrill and her husband, John, of Bellingham, Wash. and Rita Daigle and her husband, Joffre, of Springvale; three brothers, the Rev. Philip Laplante S.M. of Framingham, Mass., Arsene Laplante of Van Buren and Clement Laplante of Derry, N.H.; two sisters, Rita Prescott and Lucienne Laplante, both of Saco; 11 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by six brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Madawaska. Friends and relatives may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. until time of service Friday at Daigle Funeral Home. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Aroostook and Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, 64 West Main St., Fort Kent, ME 04743. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.