HOULTON/SOUTH PORTLAND – On Feb. 23, 2021, Renae Dunphy Lefay passed away peacefully with her two sons by her side. Born Sept. 2, 1965, in Houlton, Renae was the first of four daughters to proud parents, Woodie and Jo Ann (LeVasseur) Dunphy, growing up in a house full of furry friends and three sisters.

Renae had an inherent hard work ethic that started at the age of 10. She picked potatoes and worked on a potato harvester locally and for her uncles on their potato farms in Ft. Fairfield during the fall and worked summers at the famous York’s Dairy Bar.

While attending Houlton High School, she participated in sports as an athlete or as a team manager. Renae graduated from Houlton High School in 1984 and went on to Endicott College in Massachusetts, making the dean’s list before returning to Maine to Casco Bay College where she also made dean’s list and earned her associate degree in secretarial science/paralegal studies. She then had the great fortune to work for Verrill Dana for 33 years as a legal assistant, a job she truly loved and enjoyed to the fullest, and where she was adored by Verrill Dana attorneys and staff, receiving many accolades from clients and attorneys. In 2004 she received Verrill Dana’s Annual Staff Excellence Award, also known as the Byron Award, presented annually to a staff member who exemplifies the very highest qualities of teamwork, positive attitude, and commitment to providing the best service to clients.

Renae was a bright, loving spirit to all. She had a smile of gold that melted hearts and an outgoing personality that charmed all who had the blessing of knowing her. She fully embraced life and all it had to offer, never taking life too seriously and always living on the edge. She not only shared Elaine Benes’ (Seinfeld) gift for dance, but was the ever-forgiving target of her sisters’ practical jokes, despite being the older, bossy one. Well known for putting one in their place with a cheeky, sassy quip and a smile, she was also the caring soul that put others before herself.

Her dearest loves were her two boys, Joshua Albert and Theodore Alan. She loved to spend time with them at the family camps in Corea and on Drew’s Lake, as well as at home in Falmouth where she watched them play their various sports as they were growing up. She thoroughly enjoyed family trips with her sisters and parents to Red Sox games, country music concerts, the hunting camp in T7-R3, and family gatherings for birthdays, holidays and any other reason she could find to celebrate. She cherished and adored her “one and only someone” with whom she enjoyed Bruins games, the B52s, and the Rolling Stones.

Renae is predeceased by her mother, Jo Ann LeVasseur Dunphy; her sister, Albertine Marie Dunphy; and grandparents, Albert and Amanda Dunphy and Renis and Angeline LeVasseur.

Renae is survived by her son, Joshua Parks and his wife Anita and children Victoria, Connor and Cora Jo Ann of Surrey, British Columbia; son, Teddy Lefay of Biddeford; father, Woodrow Dunphy of Linneus; sister, Amanda Murray, husband Dean, and children Mia, Max, Ian and Sam Murray of Kennebunkport; and sister, Fawn Dunphy and husband Mike Hale of South Portland. She also leaves behind her favorite aunts and uncles; numerous cousins; as well as her Verrill Dana family and many, many friends from throughout her life.

Renae was Mick Jagger’s biggest fan and lived by his quote-

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need!”

We know you will be with us, sisters are forever….and we are.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for making her comfortable in her final days, talking us through the final stages, and helping us to see the light that was slowly burning out.

A celebration of Renae’s life will be held later this summer, on a date to be determined. Arrangements in care of Dunn Funeral Home 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at: http://www.dunnfuneral.com