SANFORD — Lucille P. Jariz, 90, of Sanford and formerly of Biddeford (her last 14 years at MacArthur Apartments) died Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Sanford Pavilion.

She was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Biddeford, a daughter of Wilfrid and Emelda (Houle) Poisson. Lucille was educated primarily at St. Andre’s School, but left during the ninth grade to help her family during difficult financial times. Later, fulfilling a promise to herself to finish high school, she attended the night program and was very proud to be part of the BHS Class of 1975.

On Feb. 15, 1947, she married Raymond “Blackie” J. Jariz at St. Andre’s Church. He had just returned from the war, and they found themselves working together at the Saco Lowell Shop.

As a young woman, she worked for two years at Butler’s Department Store, and for 37 years, she was employed at the Saco- Lowell Shops, Edwards Plant/Maremont Corp./Saco Defense, retiring in 1982.

She and Raymond retired to Bonita Springs, Florida, in 1983, spending many good winters there with their “Florida friends.” They spent 51 years together until his death in 1998. Even when “Blackie” was in the nursing home, she would visit him every day, occasionally bringing him his favorite beer.

She was a devout Catholic, and could be seen every Saturday at St. Andre’s and later St. Joseph’s Church’s 4 p.m. Mass. She had been a member of the Biddeford Senior Citizens and the Rochambeau Club, always going on their trips to Canada with her husband. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and making mittens, hats and scarves for all her grandchildren.

Her love of card playing took precedence over all her other hobbies. She taught her children how to play poker, and was always ready to play ”guizoot.” She was a master player and fierce competitor, and loved the challenge and camaraderie that the game brought on.

In her retirement, she volunteered her time to the St. Andre’s and Notre Dame schools’ hot lunch programs; she loved seeing her grandsons there, and secretly gave them extra portions.

Lucille’s life was all about her family and get-togethers, where they would all share a bite to eat and then bring out the cards. She and Blackie spent many summers at Ossippee Lake watching their kids ski, and later relived those same moments with their grandchildren. They never tired of waking up to the sound of the loons and calling it a night as the fire was extinguished.

She was preceded in death by: Raymond, her husband of 51 years, in 1998; and James Chadbourn, her son-in-law, in 2014.

She is survived by: two sons, Michael Jariz and his wife Lorie of Waterboro, and Marc Jariz and his wife Cheryl of Ponce Inlet, Florida; two daughters, Aline Chadbourne of Alfred, and Joan Cyr and her husband Donald of Biddeford; her sister, Terry Stansell of Florida; her brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Jeanne Poisson; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Stella Jariz; seven grandchildren, Robin Good and her husband Randy, June Torno and her husband Larry, Cy and Jeff Cyr, Fay Roy, Ana Provencher and her husband Roger, and Craig Jariz; nine great-grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua and Julia Good; Brandon, Bobby and Evan Torno, Isiah and Olivia Provencher, and Dominic Roy; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm Street, Biddeford. A funeral service will take place Thursday, April 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.

Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lucille’s memory may be made to: Residents Fund at Sanford Pavilion, 35 July St., Sanford, ME 04073.