SACO — On Dec. 28, heaven welcomed a great acquisition to its roll call. Florence I. Petrin, 98, joined the vast majority of her family and friends in what was surely a great celebration. In doing so however, she also left behind many who loved her dearly, fond memories, and the expectation that we will again be graced with her presence. Florence was a caring and wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor.
Florence was the daughter of Wilfred and Cordelia (Beaulieu) Cloutier and came into this world on Nov. 4, 1916, a month and birthday that she would later share with a son. Florence was the youngest of five children, or as she would proudly say, the baby of the family. Her beautiful blue eyes, obtained from her father, coupled with her inviting smile, made any room she entered into that much brighter. She loved people and people of all walks of life responded in kind.
Florence married her soul partner in life, Walter A. Petrin, on Nov. 24, 1938. Florence was locally educated and worked in WestPoint Pepperell’s spinning room, Lynn Flex Industries, and most importantly, as a housewife and matriarch of the family. Florence bore four sons and throughout her life emphasized family and honesty above all. Often gregarious, she nevertheless was a private person and had a great disdain for gossip. She also often instigated a mock but rambunctious wrestling match with our father that always ended in a loving embrace. Florence also loved to dance, in particular at the local Fremont Club, and she had a great appreciation of Maine Coon cats. In her younger days, she more than held her own in French cuisine, in particular when cooking pork pies and crepes. Documenting her recipes was relegated to acknowledging a “pinch” of this and a “pinch” of that, and often validated by a taste test that only she could administer.
Florence was a member of the St. Joseph Parish in Biddeford and was a staunch Catholic.
Florence was preceded in death by: her father in 1947 and mother in 1963; her husband in 1988; her eldest infant son in 1942; son, Maurice E. Petrin, in 2004; sisters, Alice Pinette, in 2003 and Delvina Mathurin, in 1977; and brothers, Oscar Cloutier Sr., in 1952 and Wilfred Cloutier Jr., in 1970.
Florence is survived by: her son, Roger B. Petrin and his spouse Priscilla Montpas of East Waterboro and Donald W. Petrin and his spouse Sandra A. Hawkes of Scarborough; a daughter-in-law, Carmen Petrin of Biddeford; two granddaughters, Donna M. Petrin of Biddeford and Kylene M. Petrin of Orlando, Florida; and one great-grandson, Edward Walter Bohne, whom she called “my little boy,” also of Orlando, Florida; a sister-in-law she loved dearly, Aline Parent of Biddeford; and several nephews and nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Inn at Atlantic Heights for the outstanding care and consideration provided to our mother. Also thanks to Drs. Alan Potyk and Arthur Winter as well as the Southern Maine Hospice organization.
Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford. To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.
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