Fernande C. Charest

AUBURN - Fernande Carmen Charest, 86, of Lewiston passed away peacefully early Sunday morning after several months of declining health. Born in Lewiston on December 10, 1923, she was the daughter of Henry and Louisa Boulay Lauze. She was married to her beloved Ernest Charest for 57 years until his death in 2006. She was a member of Holy Family Church. Her Catholic faith was a source of strength throughout her life especially after the death of her husband.During World War II, Fernande worked at Bath Iron Works with her sister Laurette as a pipefitter. After the war, she worked at several area shoe manufacturing factories in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Later in life, she served as a house mother at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Lewiston. She took her responsibilities seriously and put the 'fear of God' in many young men who thought they might sneak past her into the student nursing residence.She was an avid card player and loved to play with her friends, sisters, and relatives. Fernande was a die-hard fan of the Bruins and Red Sox and loved to show visitors her autographed Bobby Orr hockey stick. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed being surrounded by her family at summer cookouts and holiday gatherings. She canned tomatoes that her husband grew in their backyard on Farwell Street and used them in her recipes.She will be greatly missed by her four children; Rena Dunn and her husband Eric of Yarmouth, Richard and his wife Donna of St. Petersburg, FL., Raynald and his wife Mary of Freeport, and Robert and his wife Laura of Sudbury, MA.; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew, Molly, Luke, Kalie, Lauren, Taylor, Jamie, and Michelle; and 2 great-grandchildren, Brayden and Nevaeh. She was pre-deceased by three sisters: Eva, Florence, Laurette and four brothers: Aime, Albert, Gaston and Robert.The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Mary's ICU and the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for their compassionate care. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com CHAREST died in Auburn, July 25, 2010, Mrs. Fernande C. Charest age 86 years a resident of Farwell St. Lewiston, A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial honoring Fernande's life will be celebrated SATURDAY 11:00AM at Holy Family Church of the Prince of Peace Parish. Committal prayers to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice at 236 Stetson Road Auburn, Maine 04210. Arrangements by PINETTE & LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, 784-4023