Avis de décès de Lucille-Jean Cote - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

AUGUSTA -- Lucille Jean Maxim, 80, died peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of her family, on May 6, 2005.On April 11, 1925, Lucille was born at the family's homestead along the banks of the St. John River in Upper Frenchville, Maine, to Arthur and Delina (Cyr) Cote. She was educated at Holy Rosary Convent Catholic School. Lucille's youth was during an era still connected to the horse and buggy, cowboys, Indians and coal-powered locomotives. Sixteen-hour days were the norm on the rock-strewn fields of their working farm. Hard labor prepared our mother's generation for the belt-tightening years of the Depression and the sacrifices of a world at war. From the age of 14, Mom helped support her family by cleaning homes and offices. Lucille moved down to the "big" city of Augusta, where she found employment at R.P. Hazzard Shoe Co. and waiting tables at the Roseland Diner. It was here that she met her future husband and our father, Wallace Maxim, a World War II veteran. Lucille and Wallace married on Aug. 23, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Augusta. It was at this point that her career evolved into that of a housewife, mother and caregiver to five children, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and multiple nephews, nieces, cousins, dogs, pets and stray neighborhood children who often popped in for short visits.Widowed at age 50, Lucille discovered the freedom of being behind the wheel of her own car. Whether burning rubber in an eight-cylinder vehicle or puttering along on four cylinders, Mom's rambling down the backcountry roads of Maine led to many adventures. Lucille and her gray-haired traveling companions enjoyed lawn sales, flea markets, visiting with friends and relatives, playing bingo at the seasonal fairs, and Saturday evening church suppers. Mondays were a particularly favorite day of Lucille's, because she enjoyed the company of her peers at the Cushnoc Senior Citizen's Club of Augusta. Among Mom's many senior bus trips, her favorites were for fall foliage and the Canadian Sugar Shack. During our mother's lifetime, she was a devout Catholic, attending Mass at St. Augustine, St. Mary's and St. Andrew's churches. After harsh winters, Mom welcomed the spring days, planting fragrant, colorful flowers and sitting in her swing during cool summer evenings. Lucille was skillful at embroidery, quilting, crocheting and making puzzles. She enjoyed fresh brook trout fried in a cast-iron skillet, fried clams, hunting for fiddleheads, picking dandelion greens and canning her own vegetables. Lucille especially delighted in family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our mother's soft heart and generosity extended to all friends, family and strangers. She gave a helping hand to those less fortunate through donations of money and gifts. Lucille is survived and will be greatly missed by her loving children, Warren Maxim and fiancee Joanna Wancas of Augusta, Marlene Ross of Sidney, Wallene Ross and significant other Thaddeus Ross of Augusta, Darin Maxim and fiancee Sharon Woodruff of Augusta, and Kevin Maxim of Burien, Wash.; grandchildren Eric Maxim and wife Lori of Augusta, and their children, Mya and Kolby, Brian Ross and wife Kim of Fayette, and their children, Chad, Chelsey and Alexandra, Jason Ross of Florida and his child, Feather, and Jennifer, Michelle and Danielle Ross of Augusta; great-granddaughter Vivian Tschamler of Belgrade; sister Jeannette and husband Bertrand Chenard of Lewiston; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Special recognition goes to friends and relatives who touched our mother's life, and our family's gratitude goes to HealthReach Hospice for giving our mother the opportunity to spend her last days at home with her loved ones.Lucille was predeceased by her husband of 27 years, Wallace, in 1975; grandson Todd Ross in 1997; her parents; two sisters; and one brother. Visitors may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Burial will occur in Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to HealthReach Hospice, P.O. Box 829, Waterville 04903-0829, or flowers may be sent to the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at http://www.plummerfh.com.