Jeannine L. Charest

Jeannine L.
Charest, 83
KENNEBUNK -- Jeannine L. Charest, 83, of Kennebunk, died in Saco on June 4, 2011. She was born on Dec. 14, 1927, one of four children born to Regina Jacques and Darie M. Lemieux of Saco. She attended Notre Dame de Lourdes in Saco, Stella Maris in Biddeford and was a graduate of St. Andre's High School Biddeford Maine and The Lewis Travel Training School.
She married Leo 'Paul' Croteau of Biddeford in 1949. During their time together they were stationed in Nevada with the U.S. Navy.
Upon their return to Maine, she became a travel agent for Webber Travel Services at Maine National Bank and Paul worked for Northeast Airlines. When Paul died in 1963, she continued in the travel agency as vice president and office manager and enjoyed getting to know her many wonderful clients and traveling to countries throughout Europe and various parts of the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
In April of 1974, she married Dr. Leandre R. Charest of Saco and took on the role of step mother and friend to his children and grandchildren. The couple continued to travel extensively until they retired to Palm Harbor, Fla., in 1978. The couple returned to Maine in 1993, settling in Kennebunk.
A devoted wife and wonderful friend, she was very involved in Saint Martha's parish in Kennebunk and enjoyed nothing more than time spent with family and friends.
Dr. Charest died in 2002. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Aline Laliberte and Claire Guerin, and her brother, Albert D. Lemieux. She leaves her four stepsons, John L. Charest and his wife Martha A. Muldoon of West Buxton, Richard H. Charest and his wife Frieda of York, S.C., James H. Charest of Winchester, Va., and Robert L. Charest and his wife Cynthia of Westbrook; as well as nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother-in-law, George Guerin of Wells, and sister-in-law, Phidela Lemieux of Napa, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Hope Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Martha's Church, Holy Spirit Parish, Route 1 Kennebunk. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Martha's Church, Holy Spirit Parish in Kennebunk.
Jeannine L. Charest