Jeannine Marie (Rousseau) Blais, 88 years old, of Minot, Maine, passed away peacefully on her own terms on Sunday, September 26th, 2021, with her family by her side. Born in Lewiston, on September 22nd, 1933, she was the daughter of Alfred and Helen (Ouellette) Rousseau. Her mother died suddenly when Jeannine was only seven years old. Her father later remarried Leda Philippon Rousseau. She attended boarding school with her older sister Annette and younger brother Raymond. After graduating from St. Dominic High School in 1952, Jeannine took a job working at the hospital cleaning after patients were discharged. It was there that she met the love of her life, Albert Blais who was visiting his mother in the hospital. Jeannine later entered nursing school and became a kind and compassionate nurse where she had an amazing 40-year career caring for many patients at St. Mary’s Hospital before going to work for Dr. Morin until he retired. Jeannine then went back to work at St. Mary’s and finished out her career in nursing in 1996 while working at the d’Youville Pavilion. Jeannine and her husband Albert Blais enjoyed 51 wonderful years together raising three daughters, traveling, going out to dinner, celebrating holidays, playing cards, having fun with neighbors, and enjoying their many grandchildren.
Jeannine was a giving person who had a passion for reading, needlework, her favorite tv shows, was known to have a shot-ski with friends and smack talk those that she played cards with on Sundays.
She is survived by her brother Raymond Blais and wife Dianna, three daughters, Suzanne Blais and Gary Boilard, Michelle (Blais) and husband Larry Bate, and Denise Blais; Six grandchildren Kassidy and husband Geno Veilleux; Erin and husband Matt Bonin, Deklan McManus, Conner Pettengill, Kyle and wife Stephanie Bates, and Brian Bates. Six great grandchildren, Maxime and Henri Veilleux, Emma Bonin, Leanna and Allison Bates, and Dexter Bates. Two nephews, Jim Howaniec and Tom and wife Barbara Howaniec.
She was predeceased by her father, Alfred Rousseau, her mother Helen Ouellette Rousseau, stepmother Leda Philippon Rousseau, sister Annette Howaniec, husband Albert Blais, and nephew Dan Howaniec.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice on 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME.
Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 at Holy Family Church with a celebration of life at Gipper’s following the service.
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