OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Reinee Agnes Ouellette Breen, 86, of Saco Avenue in Old Orchard Beach, died peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 4 in Portland, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in North Adams, Mass-achusetts on Dec. 6, 1928, the fourth of five daughters of Rene and Charlotte (Blake) Ouellette.
She attended Holy Family School, and later, Drury High School, graduating with the class of 1947. Reinee also received a degree from Bliss Business School in North Adams.
She worked at JJ Newberry’s as a teenager, and then at Bright Water Paper Company. She worked in the office there until her engagement to James Breen, the love of her life, whom she met at Dobbs Pond while she was a lifeguard. They became engaged soon after James returned from the South Pacific during World War II. They were married Aug. 5, 1950.
Reinee and Jim operated Breen’s Flowers and Gifts in North Adams, Massacusetts while raising their family. Reinee was head floral designer specializing in wedding techniques.
Reinee and Jim retired to Maine, their favorite vacation spot on the East Coast. Reinee enjoyed knitting, tag saleing for unique antiques, friends and family visiting her, swimming, and long Sunday afternoon rides.
She is preceded in death by: her beloved husband, Jim; her dear son, John; and her sisters, Charlotte Barcomb, Viola Willette and Gloria Mirante.
She is survived by: sons, Michael and his wife Valerie (King), Peter and his wife Mary Ellen (Zoito), and James and his wife, Mary (Monahan); daughter, HollyAnn and her husband Gregory Lutes; seven grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband Todd Catelotti, Christopher, Christian and his wife Jennifer Johnson, Patrick, Shaleigh Reinee and finance Matt Howells, Erin and partner Anthony Malloy, and Laurel Reinee; great-grandchildren, Lillyana Reinee, Adalynn John Malloy, Makenna, Weston and Wyatt Breen, and Jack and Lily Catelotti; sister, Sharon Cote of Florida and her husband Richard.
Reinee was a fun-loving, inquisitive, always positive woman with many friends who loved her very much. Reinee will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life for Reinee will be held at the Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm Street, Biddeford, from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8. To share condolences on line, please visit www.hopememorial.com.
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