Helene Gagne Lavigueur, Meme”, 86, resident of Mumford Cove, Groton, Conn. quietly gave herself to God on Saturday, May 27, 2017. She was surrounded by a crowd of children and grandchildren and the love of her entire family. She’d been doing her best for several years to cope with an increasing difficulty to breathe until her struggle finally became greater than her abilities.

Born Aug. 7, 1930 at 74 Bay Street, Winslow, Maine to Harvey and Blanche (King) Gagne, she was the second of three children having an older sister Genevieve and a younger brother Harvey Jr. She loved to tell stories of her childhood, her school years at Mt. Merici, her adventures with her loving father and especially her sister – her best friend throughout her life.

After graduating from the Thomas School of Business (Thomas College), she married Francois I. Lavigueur of Brunswick on Jan. 5, 1952. Her new husband had landed a position with Electric Boat so they moved to Noank to begin a new life in Connecticut.

Already having one child – Francois Jr,. they decided to have more and almost lost count. Stacey Anne came next, then George Gilbert followed by Stephan Andre and finally Antoine Emile. To Helene, her children were her greatest achievements and protected and defended them religiously. While taking care of her family was always her first priority she was also active in both her hobbies and her careers.

Helene was an accomplished seamstress getting practice sewing patches on the patches of her kids’ jeans. She collected countless patterns to make clothes, costumes and coats. She was also an active church-goer hardly missing an early mass at St. Joseph’s in Noank. She became Regent of the Daughters of Isabella at St. Patrick’s in Mystic. Later in life she found a new church family with the Edmundites on Enders Island.

Her kids’ hobbies also became her own helping to lead Brownies and Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Field Trips and Grinder Day at Noank School, ballet and football among the many. It could be argued that there might be a greater fan of their kids’ ventures and endeavors, but it would be tough.It must be noted that even after more than 60 years of living in Connecticut, Meme was from Maine, practically raising her family in both states. She was proud of her heritage and never forgot her French-Canadian roots.

Among her most notable positions was as Bookkeeper for Seaboard Finance, but her style and fashion sense shined brightest in her role as Hostess ~ first during the glory days of the Holiday Inn in Groton and then the Yankee Fisherman in Groton Long Point. Always dressed to impress and greeting all with a smile and open arms.She was received in Heaven by her mother and father; her husband Frank and their son George.

She will always be missed by her brother Harvey and especially her sister Genevieve and her daughters Sarah and Rachel. Her dear friend Carol Dube will hold her memories dear nor will she be forgotten by her gracious neighbors Luanne, Pam and Arthur and her countless friends.Meme’s love and memory will be cherished most though by those she helped shape ~ her remaining children and their families, Francois Jr. and Kim, Frank III (the little fella) Krystal and great grand kids Brynn and Bixby, Avery and Brian, Ethan, Luke and Kendyll. Stacey and Arthur Singer and Robin and Heidi. Stephan and Joanne and Nathan and Jessica, Helene and Mike and Benjamin. Antoine (her Fuddy) and Kathy and Beatrix, William (Billy) and Luc.

The family would like to extend the warmest of gratitudes to Pendleton Care Facility and its entire staff for their loving kindness.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church of All Saints Parish, 39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick. Burial will immediately follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, end of Pine Street, Brunswick.