FORT KENT – Lorene Elaine (Thibodeau) Hackett, 86, wife of the late Roger B. Hackett, passed away Jan. 22, 2012. She was born Dec. 20, 1925, in Ashland, the daughter of Eusebe and Rose (Theriault) Thibodeau.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She was educated in Ashland schools. She was employed as a secretary for 30 years by the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Maine, Orono, was a former telephone operator and certified nurse’s aide; was a member and trustee of Christ Congregational Church, Fort Kent, was a lifetime member of Tillikum Chapter No. 99 Order of the Eastern Star, Ashland, was an honorary member of Business and Professional Women’s Club, Fort Kent, and was member of Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She retired in 1995 and was active and volunteered for different local organizations. She loved to travel, camp, fish, garden, grow and pick raspberries from her backyard, crochet, knit and go out to eat with her family and friends. She was known in her community as the “Raspberry Lady” and “The lady with flowers on Pleasant Street.” For many years she mowed her own lawn and snow blowed her driveway. She loved to listen to music and attend church regularly. She also enjoyed sharing many of her creations, such as crocheted doilies, angels and snowflakes, which were included in her Christmas cards for her family and friends all over the world.
She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Buker and husband, David, of Readfield and Judith Merrill and husband, Dennis of Readfield; two grandchildren, Veronica Merrill Feigel and husband, Harry, of Norfolk, Va., and Patrick Merrill and wife, Chelsea, of Westbrook; great-grandchildren, Harry R. Feigel IV, Madelyn Feigel and Rebecca Merrill; sister, Shirley Gallagher and husband, Harold, of Bangor; sister-in-law, Caroline Thibodeau of Hoschton, Ga.; a special “sister-in-law,” Ida Mae Hackett Mac Donald of Scarborough; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Roger, in 1986, after 43 years of marriage; her mother and father; sister, Eunice; brother, Herman Thibodeau; and brother-in-law, James Mac Donald. Her family expresses their sincere appreciation to Cross Winds, Fort Kent, especially Jackie Beaulieu and Diana Sylvain, for their extra special care, love and compassion they showed to Lorene; and to her dear friends, Mary Ann Daigle, Adrienne LaMore and Rosemary Martin, and to Lily Roy and family, who were her neighbors; and John Bouley, who maintained her lawn and gardens when she no longer could complete the yard tasks.
Friends may call 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday, Jan. 27, at Daigle Funeral Home, Fort Kent, where funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. with Pastors Steve Burkett and John Woodward officiating. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Christ Congregational Church, Pleasant Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743; the foundation endowed scholarship of the Roger B. and Lorene T. Hackett School of Nursing Scholarship Fund at the University of Maine, 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743; or any organization of their choice. Spring burial will be held at Christ Congregational Cemetery.