PORTLAND, ME: Helen Evelyn Ouellette, 100, formerly of 25 Shank Street, Lewiston, Maine passed peacefully on Friday, January 28, 2022, at The Cedars in Portland, Maine. She was born in 
Westfield, Massachusetts, on June 18, 1921, the daughter of John & Mary Janisieski. She married the love of her life, Paul M. Ouellette, at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield on November 29, 1945, and would of celebrated their 77th anniversary this year. After their wedding they relocated to Lewiston where they raised their family. Helen was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Lewiston.
Receiving her Associate Degree in Business, she was an Administrative Secretary at Bates Mill. She and her husband, Paul, were proprietors of a children’s shop on Lisbon Street, named Joyland. She then became the manager of Owen Moore, a womenswear store, at the Auburn Mall.
She was an avid baker and gardener, and a member of the Red Hatters Society. She will be fondly remembered, by the local community, as the “Pumpkin Lady” who founded the Parade of Jack-O’-Lanterns raising donations for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. She was a doting mother and grandmother.
She is survived by two sons; Peter of Napa, CA and Michael of Auburn, ME and three daughters; Pauline Alighieri of Marshfield, MA, Diane Laroche of Truckee, CA, and Anne of Ashland, MA. Also, six grandchildren; Nicole Laroche Bustamante, Matthew Alighieri, Michael Laroche, Jeffrey Alighieri, Vanessa and Evan Ouellette, and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul, sons Daniel and John, son-in-law Roger Laroche, a brother, and three sisters. She will be lovingly remembered for her kindness, compassion, and grace.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 3rd, 5:00-8:00pm at Albert & Burpee Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday, February 4th, 11:00am, at Holy Family Church, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102, www.fundraising.mmc.org. Memories may be shared at www.albert-burpee.com.
