Cecile L. Poissant (Rheault), 93 ¾, of Biddeford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28th 2024, at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough.
She was born in Biddeford, Maine on June 14, 1930; the youngest daughter of Rosaire and Georgianna (LaFlamme) Rheault.
Cecile graduated from the eighth grade at St. Andre’s school at the age of 14. She married the love of her life, Floriant R. Poissant on July 4 1950, in St. Andre’s church. They raised four children: Laurette, Raymond, Suzanne and Ann-Marie. Cecile and Floriant built their first home on Old Pool Road, now known as Sokokis Road, in Biddeford, and enjoyed many years there. They also purchased a lot on Ossippe Lake in Waterboro in the spring of 1963, alongside with two of Cecile’s sisters, Rita Fecteau and Irene Montpas. They all enjoyed many happy, wonderful years spent with family and friends enjoying birthdays, anniversaries and music being played and sung by many of Cecile’s family members. Cecile and Flo loved music and dancing. They shared many happy moments dancing at the Pier in Old Orchard Beach to the big bands, and of course local dance halls as well.
Cecile was a retail worker starting at Tapas women’s store on Alfred Street, then Newberry’s department store, The Bell Shops, Kresque, and Nichols Women and Childrens clothing for 18 years. She worked at Rich’s department store until she retired.
Once they retired, Cecile and Flo purchased a place in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they enjoyed 20 wonderful years being “snowbirds,” sharing their time with many family and friends. They loved doing some day cruises listening to the music at the St. Petersburg Pier, going on boat rides with Roland and Lucille Ayotte and of course, doing a little betting at the dog races.
Cecile was a proud member of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and EWTN. She was a devout Catholic and lived an exemplary life sharing and showing God’s love. A kind, selfless woman who helped so many. Cecile’s greatest enjoyment most definitely was spending time with family and friends.
Cecile was predeceased by: her husband, Floriant in 2013; along with her parents; and her brothers and sisters, Antonio (wife Alice), Ernest (wife Irene), Irene (husband Archie), Arthur (wife Elizianne), Roland (wife Alice), Annette (husband Alfred), Rita (husband Fernand), Gerard (wife Armina), Renald (wife Osithe), Therese (husband Raynald), brother Lucian Trempe; son-in-law, John Shevenell; along with several nieces, nephews and close friends.
Cecile is survived by: her daughter, Laurette and husband Phillip Richard, son, Raymond and wife
Shellie, daughter, Suzanne Shevenell, and daughter, Ann-Marie and husband Kevin DeGroot. She is also survived by: her grandchildren, Karen, Kathleen, Andy, Andrew, Keith, Ryan and Sarah; and her great-grandchildren; Nic, Ben, Caleb, Elizabeth, Alexia and Konnor.
Visitation will be held at Hope Memorial Chapel on Monday, June 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford on Tuesday, June 11th at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The MS Society, The American Cancer Society-Maine, and The Immaculate Conception of Mary.
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