Rachel L. Painter

on February 19, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Even though all who knew and loved Rachel were not prepared to lose her, she was ready for her wings.

Rachel was born on February 2nd 1941 in Biddeford, Maine into a proud, textile mill working Franco-American Catholic family.

To simply tell "The Story Of Rachel" would require volumes, her presence here on earth has been so much more than modeling by example, she has left a legacy that has and will forever be remembered: When people would ask Rachel how she could do this or that,she would often say "My mother didn't raise no fool." If anyone were to be asked to define her in one word, it would be a long list to choose from.

Rachel was an All or Nothing perfectionist with plenty of determination and passion to be a person who didn't do things for self-recognition (as she was far too humble for the spotlight) instead, she enjoyed making people happy by doing many unforgettable things for family and friends who wanted or needed her involvement. She had a creative mindset to go with her talented hands that made many different things for the home or as a gift to someone.

One of her recent joys also became a self-surprising and rewarding part of her own life, this joy was being employed as a Direct Support Worker in one of the John F. Murphy adult group homes.

In 1978,Rachel began taking classes for cake decorating in Marlborough, Mass which came naturally for her, but never realizing she would soon be sought out to create cakes for people wanting any size detailed pieces for weddings, organizations, etc, near and far, these cakes were renowned in part due to her unique trademark frosting and her intricate attention to detail, they had to be perfect in every way before she would call it complete.

It is definitely worth noting that most every relative who had a cake that was a tall ornate masterpiece for their wedding was most likely made by their mother Rachel,

or as her nieces/nephews would call her "Matante Rachel."

Rachel was a self-taught seamstress from a young age by making clothes from patterns or just by seeing something to replicate, again, her hands on learning then doing became her signature, her reputation. Alterations, tailoring, formalwear, draperies and kids’ clothes meant her sewing machine was always ready for people dropping off or picking up. Her hand sewing soon led to flawless embroidery of all sizes, if the underneath of the piece did not look as perfect as the top, it was not leaving her hands, again, her pride could be seen in her work.

To Rachel, her biggest payment was making people happy with what they were getting. She was as colorful as the brightest patchwork quilt, the textures of her life quilt were her kind ways, her personality, her big bright smile, her generosity and willingness to know what her customers liked that attracted more and more people dropping things off. All of these things are just parts in the story of and in the glory of love--if you knew Rachel then you loved her, and you bet you were gonna get love and a hug back...She was a Forever person, a tried and true Aquarius, and by her having a healing and peace giving birthstone of Amethyst, people were drawn to her soft, calming, nurturing and reassuring presence.

Rachel was active in the Chapter 82 DAV Ladies Auxiliary in Marlborough, Mass as a commander and assistant to install new officers. Her family loved seeing her march in parades, and to no surprise she was the seamstress of this bright white uniformed group of ladies. Rachel's life was an open book, she had more colors than a rainbow, this was evident by her eclectic taste in music, her style, always sharing her contagious smile and her non-judgmental ways with diverse populations were what opened her book, but her gregarious persona coupled with her big blue eyes, supportive shoulders and listening ears were the words on the pages.

Rachel's loving and doting nature went beyond being admired for her mothering style, it reached over into any creature that had fins, feathers or fur. For almost six decades, she was a huge advocate in humane treatment for all animals: proof of that was her love of rescuing and adopting animals, each of them being as precious to her as humans, this displayed another color of hers being the bonding of unconditional mutual love.

Rachel's favorite holiday was Christmas, to her it was never about the commercialism, but rather the gathering of loved ones, seeing the generations of her legacy, sharing different foods with people (especially her Cranberry Nut Bread), enjoying her beautifully decorated trees with elaborately wrapped packages underneath, and of course, the musical sounds of the holiday season itself.

The door was always open for Christmas cheer with friends, family, in-laws and especially seeing the excited young kids.

Rachel would often say that her guilty pleasures were sugary sweets, a margarita when dining out, and going to Disneyworld in Florida several times. To Rachel, going to Disney truly was her second happiest place on earth, but taking first place was being with family. She was all about the meaning of Family, she was the glue that held things together through the roughest of times, she taught her kids to not be too stubborn to offer an olive branch.

Each of her kids called her Mom, Ma, Mother, or Mum. As her grown children agree, growing up with a mother like Rachel was like a recipe out of a cookbook with ingredients of endless affection, support, respect, occasional tough love, empowerment to be our best selves, live and learn, two wrongs won't make a right, be happy and be nice. At bedtime, her kids would wait by the door that led to their bedrooms where she would give each a hug and a kiss, this was standard nightly practice to end the day, even as adult children, every visit was met with a kiss and a hug when entering and again when exiting.

During her last two days, she would muster up the little strength she had left just to reach over, hold hands, say she loved you and give a kiss--all in the name of her wanting others to know she loved them and for them to be okay.

Rachel is predeceased by her husband Robert D. Painter,

her father Armand D. Gagne,

her mother Cecile L. Plamondon Gagne,

her newborn son Edouard A. Labbe,

her brother Raymond A. Gagne,Sr,

her grandson Casey E. Labbe,

her son Stephen Painter,

her grandson Jason Painter

and many of her beloved pets.

Rachel is survived by her loving companion of 15 years Robert Bouchey, her son Edward Labbe and wife Francine, her daughter Denise Belanger and companion Scott Dube, her daughter "little chicken" Danielle Painter Morin and husband Raymond, her son Drew Randall, her son David Painter and wife Theresa,

her daughter-in-law Marsha Painter,

her sister Doris Tenneson and her husband Anthony,

one sister-in-law Martine Gagne and Rachel's Best Friend of almost 50 years, Carolyn Kenyon.

She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren,

19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rachel's family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the extraordinary caregivers at Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn for the dignity, kindness, hospitality, professionalism and personal touch given to Rachel,

her family and visitors.

Please visit www.lynchbrothers.com to read her full obituary, leave a message of condolence or share a memory.

A celebration of Rachel's life will be held on

April 15th from 10am-1pm at the Pastime Club

located at 45 Cedar Street in Lewiston, Maine.