CARIBOU – Lorina Levesque Wakem, 90, died Jan. 14, 2009, at a Bangor nursing facility, with her daughters by her side. She was born Nov. 21, 1918, the daughter of Joseph and Georgianna (Levesque) Chalout of North Caribou. Her roots were Acadian and her first language was French. Lorina learned English when she began attending a one-room schoolhouse at age 4. She graduated from Caribou High School and three years later she completed her teaching degree at Aroostook State Normal School. After World War II, Lorina married Antone “Tony” Wakem. She worked for the state of Maine as a child welfare worker after her marriage. After the birth of their daughters, Lori returned to teaching, completing 24 years upon retirement. Lorina attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church and was a member of Daughters of Isabella. She and Tony enjoyed playing bridge and cribbage, and golf with many friends. She will be remembered as a fiercely competitive and tough opponent. Lori had a reputation as one of the best French cooks of Lebanese food, after learning the skills from her mother-in-law, Margaret Wakem. Lorina loved to grow a garden and had many creative outlets. Her bright smile will be missed by all who knew her. Lorina is survived by her daughters, Susan Coffin and son-in-law, Gilbert Coffin, of Bangor, and Jean Wakem and her partner, Vicky Johnson, of Searsmont; one beloved granddaughter, Maria Ida Coffin; and two sisters, Thelma Morin of Caribou and Norma Turner of Mapleton. She was predeceased by her husband, Antone Wakem; her sister, Alphena Michaud; and her brother, Luke Levesque. Friends may call 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, pastor, officiating in a Mass of Christian burial. Spring interment will take place at New Holy Rosary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to contribute in memory of Lorina may do so to Juvenile Diabetes Research, 175 Ammon Drive, Suite 201, Manchester, NH 03103; Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 170 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105; or The Iris Network, 189 Park Ave., Portland, ME 04102. Envelopes may also be obtained through the funeral home. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
LORINA LEVESQUE WAKEM
