Obituary of Sue-Anne Baillargeon

Sue Anne Baillargeon, 'The Weede Lady' WINDHAM - Sue A. Baillargeon, 68, of Windham, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a courageous 3 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer. Sue was born in Portland, July 12, 1945 the daughter of Dwight B. and Joyce (Brown) Foster. She moved to Scarborough at an early age and was educated in Scarborough schools. She was a 1964 graduate of Scarborough High School and attended Portland School of Fine Arts. Sue was a receptionist and PBX operator at the First National Stores corporate offices on Read Street in Portland for nine years. She married Charles C. Baillargeon in March of 1970. After the birth of her two sons, Joseph and Joshua, Sue started her own business in Windham by offering bouquets of flowers from her gardens for sale at the end of her driveway with a sign simply stating 'Fresh flowers $2.00 Please Leave money in cup'. That kind of trust quickly built Sue a loyal following and the business which became known as 'The Weede Shoppe'. The early driveway business grew first to her garage and then to a retail shop she and her husband Charlie built in the early 80's. Sue's expertise in floral designs and dried wreaths often crafted with wild flowers and herbs she picked from her gardens and just about anywhere prompted her friends and customers to refer to her as 'The Weede Lady'. The Weede Shoppe's open houses became a very popular annual 'don't miss event' and were attended by thousands over the years. Her soups, sweetbreads and dips were culinary staples for many during the first two weekends in November. That was Sue's way of thanking her customers for their loyal support. She expanded sales internationally as well as nationally with products such as birdhouses, folk dolls and the like, that Sue designed and had crafted by local artisans. Another retail outlet, 'The Weede Shoppe at the Port' was run by Sue and her son Josh for six years on Commercial St. in Portland. She was featured in several national and international magazines. Sue expanded her designs to include a line of 'chunky chic' jewelry called 'Les Bijoux' which she made herself, and a line of whimsical pocketbooks called 'Posie Purses' which include her trademark floral motifs. She also had two books published. The first called 'Angels Among Us' a journal format that was dedicated to 'angels' in her life and featured many of her folk doll creations. 'Have I Told You Sue A. Baillargeon 434 River Road, Windham www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com Lately' was Sue's second offering with words of wisdom and simple advice to her two sons. Sue is survived by Charlie, her loving husband of 43 years and sons Joseph C. Baillargeon and his wife Jennifer and treasured grandson Trevor Andrew (the love of her life) of Windham, Maine and Joshua A. Baillargeon of Boca Raton, Fla. Family was always the most important aspect of Sue's life. She and her only sister Donna were inseparable. Donna and beloved brother-in-law Bob Dolloff of Naples Fla. and Windham were a huge part of Sue's life. Sisters-in-law Joan Bourassa and Michelle Baillargeon both of Saco and brothers-in-law Roger Baillargeon and his wife Olive of Annapolis, Md., Guy and his wife Pauline Baillargeon of Biddeford, and John Baillargeon of Saco. She leaves nieces Betsy Testa and Rich Montminy of Guilford N.H., Jennifer and husband Philip Testa of Gray, Suzanne and husband Dr. Jay Woodward of South Portland, nephews Andrew Dolloff and his wife Kristin of Standish, Heath Dolloff and his wife Laura of Danville, N.H., Marc Bourassa and his wife Suzanne of Old Orchard Beach, Danny and his wife Cathy Baillargeon of Saco, David Baillargeon of Biddeford and Paul Baillargeon of Tucson, Ariz. She also leaves 11 grandnieces and six grandnephews. Sue was a very loving and giving person and oh how she loved to spoil them all! The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the kind and compassionate care. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 from 5 until 8:00 p.m. at the Dolby and Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State Street, Gorham. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Point Christian Church, 58 City Line Drive, in Portland. To leave a message of condolence, please visit our web site at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Suite 1 South Portland, Maine 04074 or to: The Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital C/O Maine Medical Center 22 Bramhall Street Portland, Maine 04102