SANFORD – Irene P. Roberge, 89, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Lodges Care Center in Springvale.

Irene was born in Sanford on April 18, 1935, one of five children born to Ovila and Corinne (Lehouillier) Plante. She grew up in Sanford and attended St. Ignatius where she graduated from high school in 1952.

In 1956, she married Oliva Roberge. Together, they raised three children and shared 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2008.

When her children were young, Irene lovingly devoted her life to caring for her family. As her children grew older and more independent, she began working to help them pay for college. She took a job at the Sanford Institution for Savings where she had different responsibilities, but none more rewarding than being the Executive Secretary for many years until her retirement after 25 years of service.

Irene was a devout Catholic and a dedicated communicant of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. She was very active in the parish as a member of the Ladies of St. Anne, serving as a lector and attending Mass daily.

Irene was a talented and crafty woman who enjoyed reupholstering furniture and caning chairs. She was also a skilled seamstress and loved making clothes for her daughters when they were young. Known for her sweet tooth, she particularly loved whoopie pies and was known to skip her meal and go straight for dessert whenever she could get away with it!

Irene was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and sister. She always put her family first and cherished spending time with them. She was a humble and kind woman, sociable and loved being around people, with many friends.

Irene always had a smile on her face and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Her positive and optimistic nature allowed her to find the good in everyone and every situation. She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Lodges Care Center and Elaina from Compassus Hospice for the care and compassion shown to Irene and her family during her period of declining health.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, Corinne and Ovila Plante; her husband, Oliva Roberge; and her four siblings, Beatrice, Jacqueline, Paul, and Michel.

She is survived by her three children, Karen Duplin and her husband William of Parsonsfield, Michelle Palmer and her husband Robert of Simsbury, Conn., and David Roberge and his wife Jodie of Lebanon; six grandchildren, Jesse and Lauren Duplin, Tyler, Caitlin, and Rebecca Macy, and Nicholas Roberge; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 28 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the local charity of their choice.

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