Anita Raymonde Poliquin

1935-2022

Lewiston - Anita R. Poliquin, age 86, of Lewiston passed away peacefully early Monday morning May 30th at d'Youville Pavilion with family by her side. She was born on November 20, 1935 in Lewiston. She was one of six children born to Thomas and Eugenie (Dube) Berube. Anita was educated in the local school system and remained a resident of the community for her entire life. She was married to Robert Poliquin, also of Lewiston, on September 1st 1956 and settled in Auburn to raise their family. He predeceased her on September 15, 2012 following 56 years of marriage.

Her work life included working as the Department Manager of the shoe department at Ward Bros. until it's closing, at which time she moved on to what turned out to be her calling. She became the Director of the student lunch program for Holy Cross School in Lewiston.

Anyone who knew Anita will know that two of her greatest loves were children and cooking. Here, she was able to indulge both loves, interacting with hundreds of children and improving and providing the quality of meals they would eat each day. She not only directed the program, but spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping with preparing the food and serving the children as well. She greeted every child with a big smile and her genuine love of giving to provide all who she served with a nutritious and warm moment.

nita was a member of the former St. Louis Church in Auburn and later Holy Cross Church. She strong lady with a deep and enduring Catholic faith who truly enjoyed giving of herself. She simply adored children and babies, and one of her favorite hobbies was knitting. She used her love and skill to create thousands of knitted hats and mittens and quietly gave them to any and every child in need every Winter for many years. She also knitted afghans and other items for family and friends. She also enjoyed baking for family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards and was one of a group that called themselves the "Crazy Eight Card Club" who met weekly for much of the last 30 years to play cards and laugh and enjoy their friendships.

Her greatest enjoyment was simply the love for her family, all children and friends. Whether it was the simple enjoyment of their company or the more formal get-togethers such as the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries they shared. She was a loving, devoted and hardworking wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank the entire staff of the d'Youville Pavilion 3 East Memory Care Unit for their care and compassion to Anita and her family during her time there.

Anita leaves behind her daughter Anne Duncan and husband James of Greene;

her two sons Marcel Poliquin and wife Joy of Belfaire, WA and Ronald Poliquin of Lewiston;

six grandchildren Natilee Poliquin, Alex Poliquin, Arianna Poliquin, James Duncan, Dakota Duncan and Brittany Campbell; six great-grandchildren Julius, Jacobi, Kingsley, Jeremiah, Annalee and Cora; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters and two brothers.

Those wishing may make donations in her memory to St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org

To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

Visitation Fortin Group / LEWISTON, Monday June 6th from 4-7 PM.

Funeral Mass Holy Cross Church Tuesday June 7th at 11 AM. Committal St. Peter's Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of The Fortin Group Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 70 Horton Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 207-784-4584