BIDDEFORD — Marie-Reine “Irene” Mignonne Fournier, 99, of Biddeford died Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at her home in Biddeford.
She was born, the youngest of seven children, on Dec. 12, 1918 to Majorique and Eveline (Pettigrew) Lessard at their home in Biddeford. She was so small at birth that she was wrapped in a blanket, put in a shoe box and placed behind the stove to keep warm. The next day she was taken by her father to a local store and weighed on a meat scale, topping it off at 2 pounds. She graduated from Biddeford High School, Class of 1938.
After her family, Irene’s proudest achievement was her service in the United States Navy during World War II. She became a member of the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, in Oct. 1943. She completed her basic training at Hunter College in Bronx, New York and then sent to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she graduated from the Navy Yeoman’s School at Oklahoma A & M College. Her final duty station was Sampson Naval Training Base in Seneca County, New York. In February of 2017, she was awarded a Quilt of Valor in honor of her service to her country. During her service she met her first husband, John Davis, and in 1947 they returned to civilian life in Biddeford. He preceded her in death in 1965.
On April 24, 1971, she married Robert A. Founier in St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford.
She worked various retail and office jobs, including the Payroll Office at Pepperell Mfg., National Cylinder Gas in Saco. She also worked at FMI for over 10 years until her retirement in 1981. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed crafts of all kinds, as well as growing roses, but most of all she relished her time and visits with family. Bob and Marie traveled throughout the United States and Europe. She loved life, enjoyed new adventures, and was always ready to pack a suitcase and travel. She was a charter member of both the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the All Women in Service Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, she was also a member of the American Legion.
She often spoke of the special bond she had with her mother – it warms our hearts to know she has been reunited with her.
She is preceded in death by her brother, Renald “Major” Lessard; and her five sisters, Beatrice Ready, Fernande Bouffard, Alphena Cloutier, Lucille Frechette, and Rollande Nanos.
Irene is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Robert A. Fournier of Biddeford; two daughters, Sandra Streitburger of Deltona, Florida and Janet Lee Davis of Saco; three grandchildren, Brigadier General James R. Cluff, Jessica Jane Cluff Parks, and Anthony J. Cadilla; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Graveside Service will be held on June 2, 2018 at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s name may be made to the Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel.
To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
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