CARIBOU – Bernice J. (Levesque) Thibodeau “Gram” passed away Feb. 5, 2005, at Cary Medical Center surrounded by members of her loving family. She was born May 23, 1920, in Connor, North Caribou, the daughter of Praspere and Eugenie (Dubay) Levesque. Early in her life, Mom cared for her ailing mother who passed away in her arms – an event for which she was so grateful and which inspired her to be the best mother she could be. Her children and grandchildren were her most cherished and revered gifts of life. Mom was a self-educated woman with a very strong work ethic; a devout Democrat who loved current events and politics. Mom also enjoyed music and dancing and had a fondness for the comic strips “Dennis the Menace” and “Dagwood”. Although Mom worked many long hours to help care for her family, she loved the change of seasons and the fruits they bore. The very first signs of Spring would find Mom out “digging up dandelion greens”. Year after year she always enjoyed looking forward to a fresh mess of greens. Next came the search for the best wild strawberry patch so she could pick and pick and make us a strawberry pie. One of her favorite seasons was Fall when she was able to take us out and teach us how to “pick potatoes” and learn the value of hard work and earning a dollar. Treat of all treats was going out to pick hazelnuts in the Fall. She would pick all she could, go home and shuck the nuts and then mail her daughters Elsie and Shirley each a box full of nuts. For the last 20 years Mom enjoyed countless hours being the “Strawboss” at her daughter Dot McDuffie’s store – “2nd Hand Rose”. There she spent many days selling, chatting and creating new friendships with the many customers she cherished. Here she was continuing a tradition she had started back in the ’70s by having a perpetual garage sale and selling items on consignment for other people. Her entrepreneurial skills were way ahead of her time. She is survived by one son, three daughters and respective spouses, Jerry and Janice Thibodeau, Dot McDuffie and husband, Stephen, Elsie Powell and husband, Jack, Shirley Stairs and husband, Robert. Her grandchildren will also miss their Gram, Shaun (and Cindy), Ryan (and Terry), and Stevie (and Lisa) McDuffie, Jayne (Thibodeau) McEwen, Jan (Thibodeau) Robitaille, Jack Austin and Jeffrey Alan Powell, Andrea J. and Sara Anne Stairs. A third generation of children will also miss great-gram, Ethan, Nolan, Riley, Spencer, Joshua and Jordan McDuffie and Sydney Christine and Anais Sophia Powell. Many cherished nieces and nephews will also miss “Ma Taunt”. Bernice was predeceased by a beloved twin son, Gary in 1960; and 10 sisters and brothers. Please come join us in honoring our “Momma” and “Gram”. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Caribou with Fr. David Raymond officiating, assisted by Fr. Scott Mower. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Caribou Community Wellness Center, care of Caribou Rec. Department, 59 Bennett Drive, so young and old alike may enjoy a better way of life right here in her home town. Mom’s favorite quote was “I’m Not Bossy-I just Have Better Ideas”! She was without a doubt the best mother and grandmother and she will be forever missed! We Love You, mom, and remember, your way of putting crises in perspective by saying “Taint A Murder”.
BERNICE J. (LEVESQUE) THIBODEAU
