She was born Aug, 15, 1930, a daughter of Joseph D. and Hermance (Simoneau) Gagnon in Biddeford, and was raised and educated in Manchester, New Hampshire.
In 1948, she married the love of her life, Paul E. Lachance, at St. Marie’s Church in Manchester, New Hampshire. They raised six children and lived in bliss for 64 years until his death in July 2012.
She was a loving wife, mother and friend to everyone she knew. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, and worked for AVX (Corning Components) in Kennebunk and Biddeford until her retirement.
Upon retirement, Gertrude and Paul, having lovingly sacrificed everything for their children their entire lives, indulged themselves and traveled the world.
She spent many, many years volunteering at Good Shepherd Parish at St. Joseph’s as a Eucharistic minister. She helped found the Funeral Luncheon Program, and managed it for 12 years.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Paul E. Lachance; and one sister, Jeanne T. Gagnon.
Gertrude is survived by: her six children, Paul E.R. Lachance and his wife Linda of Lyman, Norman J. Lachance and his wife Valerie of Alfred, Anita L. Lachance Bolster and her husband James of North Waterboro, Roger E. Lachance of Biddeford, Lucille A. Lachance Lamirande and her husband Michael of Biddeford, and Louise M. Lachance and her fiancé Robert McDowell of Biddeford; six grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; her brother, Paul Gagnon and his wife Jacqueline of Bonita Springs, Florida; and sisters Lucille Gagnon Beaupre and her husband Norman of Biddeford, and Pauline Gagnon and her longtime companion Alex Dansk of Waterford, Vermont.
Visiting hours will be 2- 5 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.
To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gertrude’s memory may be made to: Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite C, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less