VAN BUREN – Fernande Laplante, 76, of Van Buren, died peacefully June 7, 2005, surrounded by family at the home of her daughter in South Portland after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in St. Quentin, New Brunswick, on May 21, 1929, Fernande was the daughter of Alphonse and Bertha Leveillee and was one of 13 children. As a teenager, Fernande willingly put off her schooling to care for her siblings while her mother recovered from a debilitating illness. On Aug. 21, 1950, she married the love of her life, Joseph Laplante and settled in Van Buren. There she began to nurture a large family and teach them the value of an education by working earnestly to obtain her high school degree through night school. Community building, organizing church functions and caring for the elderly were always of utmost importance to Fernande. She operated an in-house boarding home for the elderly for 20 years, while at the same time supporting Joseph on the potato farm. The preparation of large French-Canadian meals was second nature to Fern. Pies, beans, breads and stews were plentiful and often packaged up and delivered to neighbors in need. Fernande was never too busy to sing, dance, garden, sew, travel and volunteer with her numerous neighbors and friends. Fernande was an active member of the Evangeline Circle, Daughters of Isabella, the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 49 of Van Buren, and St. Bruno Choir Society, as well as being a life long, dedicated member of St. Bruno-St. Remi Parish. She was a tireless coordinator of Mercy Meals, the Annual Church Bazaar, as well as playing host to various church fund-raising efforts. In addition, Fern enjoyed volunteering for the People Helping People Thrift Shop and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She is survived by three sons, Pierre Laplante of Van Buren, Marcel Laplante of South Portland, and Daniel Laplante and his wife, Jane, of South Portland; five daughters, Cecile Laplante and husband, Kevin D’Amboise of South Portland, Theresa Laplante and husband, David Ezzio, of Cumberland, Rita Diemar and husband, Bill, of Waterbury, Vt., Susan Donovan of Cape Elizabeth, and Rachel Clark and husband, Rod, of Cumberland; five brothers and four sisters. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren who have been lucky enough to learn life long lessons on love, compassion and perseverance from this strong matriarch before her passing. Fernande was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph in 1991. The family wishes to thank the Gibson Wing of the Maine Medical Center as well as Hospice Care of Maine for the professional, tender care extended to their mother. Relatives and friends may call at the Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until time of service on Monday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church. Committal service and interment will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Maine, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, 04106 or to Saint Bruno-St. Remi Memorial Fund, 180 Main St., Van Buren, 04785, or to a charity of one’s choice.
FERNANDE LAPLANTE
