Gabrielle Marie LeVasseur

BANGOR – Gabrielle Marie LeVasseur, 90, passed away peacefully on Nov. 8, 2024. She was a beloved sister, aunt, sister-in-law, great-aunt, and friend.

Gabrielle was born in Rumford, Feb. 13, 1934, the third of five daughters of the late Noel and Clemence (Legere) LeVasseur.

She grew up on Waldo Street and lived there for over seven decades. The last three years of her life were spent living in Bangor. Gabrielle was independent, adventurous, funny and easy-going. She was willing to attempt just about anything, from flying in a small plane, riding on the back of a motorcycle, kayaking and hesitantly agreeing to ride the Tower of Terror.

Gabrielle went to St. John’s grammar school and graduated from Stephens High School in 1951. Upon graduation, she went to work as a secretary at the Rumford Paper Mill. After several years, she earned the position of administrative assistant to the mill manager, a position she held until her retirement in 1995.

Her love of music began at an early age while participating in her grammar school choir. She continued singing into adulthood, participating in St. John’s Church choir for many years. She also was an active member of RAAPA (Rumford Association for the Advancement of the Performing Arts), enjoying the time she spent on stage with her co-performers.

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with two of her sisters and brother-in-law. One of her favorite places was Oberammergau in Germany. Other destinations included France, Ireland, Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Florida, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. She looked forward to an annual summer family vacation in Old Orchard Beach and spending the holidays with family eating French meat pies and making poutine rappe.

She was active in the community. She bowled, swam, and volunteered at Rumford Community Hospital. You could often find her reading a book, making a puzzle or playing Cribbage.

Gabrielle is survived by her sisters Margaret Deane and Vivian Roy and her husband James; and many beloved nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. Her nieces and nephews are Christine (Poirier) Ryder, Andrea (Deane) Turmelle, Shelley (Poirier) Nieb, Mark Belanger, Lisa Belanger, Paula (Roy) Thibodeau, Eric Belanger and Jonathan Roy. She was also the aunt of the late Philis (Deane) Wickens and sister of the late Theresa and her husband Robert Poirier and Bernadette and her husband Maurice Belanger and brother-in-law, Philip Deane.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Thibault Remembrance Center, 250 Penobscot St., Rumford, with a time of fellowship immediately after. Burial at St. John’s Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

the American Diabetes Association or to:

the American Cancer Society