Louise M. Pare

She was born in Lewiston on March 21, 1939, the daughter of the late Cyrille and Aurore (Lessard) Pare.

She attended Holy Cross School and was a graduate of St. Dominic Regional High School as well as St. Mary’s School of Nursing. Following graduation, she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for one year then moved to Boston to work at the Deaconess Hospital and to pursue a Bachelor in Nursing Degree from Boston College. Following graduation there in 1965, she returned to Lewiston where she did Public Health Nursing for a year, then once again worked at St. Mary’s. First as head nurse then for several years as an instructor at the School of Nursing. In the late 1980’s, Louise took many computer courses and that led to her changing careers completely. Leaving the nursing world behind, she worked for the City of Lewiston as a programmer, “user assistant”, and taught computer classes to other city employees until her retirement. A member of MOFGA for many years, Louise was a meticulous, avid, and prolific organic gardener and composter who enjoyed sharing her bounty with family and friends. Her gardens were ones to be envied, as was her “green” thumb. She also grafted fruit trees and fascinated nieces and nephews with trees that produced three different kinds of apples growing on the same tree. Due to impaired health over the years, she very reluctantly let go of her garden and fruit trees leaving only asparagus and blueberries to fend for themselves. Louise was frugal almost to a fault and recycling was part of her lifestyle way before it became trendy to recycle. She found a specific, useful purpose for just about anything that most people would just discard. She had a profound love of animals, especially dogs and cats. That was very evident in her relationship with her keeshond companion, “KiKi”, and her willingness to babysit other people’s cats as needed in her younger days. She loved to swim at her brother’s camp at Belgrade Lakes, Long Pond, or at the ocean. However, just as she had to give up her gardens and fruit trees because of health issues, for several years now her love for being in the water was satisfied by taking part in the aquacise program at the YWCA three of four times a week. She loved to read and belonged to a Book Club for several years and enjoyed the discussions that ensued. She also enjoyed listening to opera, doing the daily crosswords and loved to tackle challenging puzzles, had a weakness for sweets of any kind, but especially anything, “Little Debbie.” She took many courses through USM’s Senior College at L/A College and served on its board of directors for several years. Louise is survived by two brothers Rev. Paul M. Pare and Andre and Mariette Pare; two sisters Madeliene Roy and Marguerite and Dr. Raynald Roy; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; two half-brothers Cyrille Jr. and Clifford Pare; brothers Louis and Jean Thomas; sisters Patricia Camire and Sr. Marie, O.P.; and several nephews. A diversified and quiet presence in our family, she will be sorely missed by all of us. Rest in Peace Louise. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com . NOTICE Pare- Died in Lewiston Monday July 14, 2014. Miss Louise M. age 75 a resident of Lewiston. A Funeral Mass honoring Louise’s life will be celebrated on Monday July 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Church. Committal services will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Those wishing may make donations in Louise’s memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society 55 Strawberry Avenue Lewiston, Maine 04240 or to the YWCA 130 East Avenue Lewiston, Maine 04240. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway, Lewiston 784-4023.