Born Nov. 30, 1926 to Florida (Mailhot) and Romeo Sylvestre, she was a lifelong resident of Biddeford-Saco. As a young woman, she worked in the textile mills while raising her family in Biddeford and was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish
Her first husband, Napoleon R. Gosselin, died a young man at age 44 when their five children were still young. Her resilience and work ethic pulled her through very tough times. Twelve years later, she was blessed to meet and marry Hervey Tousignant. She grew very close to his wonderful children and extended family, who further enriched her life.
She was employed by the local Head Start Program in the late ’60s, entering as a cook and progressing to teacher’s aide. She completed her high school education and other courses pertinent to her employment with the support of the program. She retired from there after 26 years in 1988.
She is survived by: her brother, Marcel Sylvestre of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Canton, Ohio; her children, Denis Gosselin and his wife Linda of Arundel, Claire Gosselin and her husband Cole Harrison of Boston, Massachusetts, Normand Gosselin and his wife Diane of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, Lucy G. Vincent and her husband Mark Vincent of Palmdale, California, Janet Lambert of Biddeford, Carol (Tousignant) Abbott and her husband Raymond of Arundel, and Dorothy Tousignant, wife of the late Paul Tousignant of Saco; 17 grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews
Anita was also preceded in death by: her husband, Hervey Tousignant; and her two brothers, Paul and George Sylvestre.
Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04005. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following week at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.
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