Jeannette Marie Barbara (Lebel) Laroche

Jeannette Marie Barbara (Lebel) Laroche, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, love, and countless stories that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Jeannette was born on July 11, 1941, in Biddeford, Maine. At just two days old, she was adopted by Conrad and Cecile Lebel of Auburn, who welcomed her into their family with open hearts. Her parents always reminded her that she was special because they had chosen her, a sentiment she carried with her throughout her life.

Jeannette fondly remembered growing up in New Auburn. One of her favorite childhood memories was going to the movies with her father, spending the entire day together every weekend. She attended St. Louis Catholic School and would often tell the story of cartwheeling all the way down Dunn Street hill after school to her home on Riverside Drive. She loved to dance, especially ballet and tap, and treasured the many happy memories of growing up on Riverside Drive with her neighborhood friends.

She attended St. Dominic’s High School for her freshman year before continuing her education at Edward Little High School, where she graduated in 1959. Throughout her life, Jeannette remained close to her cousins Louise (Morin) Ladakakos, Jeannette (Ouellette) Guay, and George Blouin, as well as several friends from childhood and high school. These enduring friendships were among the many relationships she treasured dearly. She was a proud Red Eddie and was always ready to sing the Edward Little fight song, especially when she could use it to tease her children, all of whom graduated from rival Lewiston High School.

After high school, Jeannette began her bookkeeping career in the office at New England Furniture. She briefly lived in Jacksonville, Florida, before returning to Maine, where she continued her career as a bookkeeper at Dainty Bits Cookie Company. Over the years, she worked for Maine Wiring, the City of Auburn Highway Department, Snowe’s Tire Company, Western Area Agency on Aging, Dionne, Gosselin & Dubord, and ultimately retired from the law firm of Gosselin, Dubord & Robasco. She also proudly helped with the bookkeeping for her mother’s business, Lebel’s Bridal Salon.

On October 5, 1973, Jeannette married Maurice Laroche of Auburn. Together, they built a beautiful blended family and shared 43 years of marriage until his passing.

Jeannette loved her Wednesday nights at Gippers for ladies’ night, where she was always happy to enjoy a good margarita. She loved going out to eat and especially treasured her Saturday nights spent with her dear friends Omer and Lorraine Parent. She adored her dogs, Molly, Cleo, and Moxie, who brought her endless companionship and joy.

She had her favorite television traditions, too. She loved Dallas and was a devoted fan of All My Children, watching the soap opera for 41 years from its beginning in 1970 until it ended in 2011. She was so committed to never missing an episode that she planned her lunch breaks around being home in time to watch it. She also enjoyed Westerns, true crime programs, and anything related to World War II and the Holocaust.

Jeannette loved cooking and baking and, most of all, spending time with her family and friends. She loved playing Spinner and Hot Dice with her cousin Jeannette and her husband Maurice Guay. She was thrilled to discover that she had a half-brother, James “Jim” Harrison, after 77 years, and she treasured the relationship they were able to build. She also took great pride in caring for her parents as they grew older, giving back to the two people who had given her such a loving beginning.

Jeannette’s greatest legacy is the family she leaves behind. She is survived by her children, Marie Herrick and her husband, Dan, of Auburn; Michael Frechette and his wife, Donna, of North Port, Florida; Jennifer Laroche-Albert and her husband, Kevin, of Lewiston; and Catherine Lin and her husband, Michael, of Tampa, Florida; as well as nine grandchildren (Jonathan and Jason Nadeau, Nathan and Kayla Frechette, Conrad, Hayden, and Madeleine Albert, and Brandon and Austin Lin) and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her half-brother, James “Jim” Harrison of Thomaston, Connecticut, and her dear friend Lorraine Parent.

She was predeceased by her parents, Conrad and Cecile Lebel; her beloved husband, Maurice Laroche; her dear friend, Omer Parent; her cousins Jeannette (Ouellette) Guay and George Blouin.

Per Jeannette’s wishes a private graveside service will be held.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Schooner Estates for the extraordinary care, kindness, and love they gave to Jeannette over the past two years, and especially during the past few months. Your compassion and dedication brought comfort to Jeannette and to her family, and you will always hold a special place in their hearts.