Loretta Poulin Gagne – 73, a longtime resident of Waterbury passed away peacefully at her home on Kneeland Flats, surrounded by her loving children and family after a long battle with cancer on May 4, 2005. She was also known to many as Ma Poulin, Gram Poulin, Lorette and Poulie. She was born November 20, 1931 in Fairfield, the daughter of Marjorie E. Lawyer of Huntington and the late James C. Lawyer. She grew up in Fairfield and Bakersfield and then moved to Huntington where she married her former husband, Grant W. Lewis, and then moved to Waterbury where she has resided for many years. She graduated from Richmond High School and worked many years at Ken’s Diner in Richmond as a waitress. After moving to Waterbury she worked at the Vermont State Hospital as a nurse and later was employed at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. She also had worked for Murphy’s Cleaning Service in Waterbury.
For many years she was a member of the Northeast Fiddlers Association, playing the piano for many competitors and enjoying the beautiful sounds of the old time fiddlers. Her most recent employer was Billings Mobil in Waterbury where she just loved all her customers and couldn’t wait to come home and tell her children about some joke she heard that day or who came in special to see her. Her job was so much enjoyment for her whether she worked the day shift or the night shift which she did for many years. She also knew what her customers needs were before they even had to ask.
Loretta is survived by her mother, Marjorie Lawyer of Huntington; her four children, Paul Poulin, Susanne Poulin, Margo Sicely and Debra Longe, all of Waterbury; her sister, Ruth Little, her brothers, Carlton Lawyer and his wife, Jan, and Charles Lawyer, all of Huntington; her grandchildren, Roger Longe and his companion, Kathy Gormson; Bryan Longe and his companion, Amy Lamson; Kirk Longe and his companion Ami Farnsworth; David Sicely and his companion, Rheannon Dulac; Misty Sicely and her companion, Lewis Lowell; and Kevin Nutter, all of Waterbury; and Julia Gibson of Virginia. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a special aunt, Ruth Bennett, as well as her favorite and special son-in-law, Bryce Longe of Waterbury.
Loretta is predeceased by her father, James C. Lawyer; her brother, James Lawyer; her sister, Katherine Lawyer and a grandson, Darrell Sicely. Also preceding her in death are her late husbands, Armand “Slim” Poulin and Joseph Gagne, and a sister-in-law, Betty Lawyer.
Loretta was very devoted to her family and friends. She was always ready to help whomever, whenever they might need a hot meal, a place to stay or just friendly conversation. Her favorite pastime was playing Bingo with her fellow neighbor ladies until such time she couldn’t go anymore. But then she played scratch off tickets and the weekly lottery instead. Over the years, she loved playing the piano and dancing. She was always making gifts for people like home made afghans, Christmas ornaments, homemade chocolates or something she crocheted. She collected bells and enjoyed having plants and candles in her home. Most of all, she would light up when her grandsons would come through the door to see her every week, stopping to chat or ask for sage advice. And her little great granddaughters, Makaylin and Morgan Longe would come by and say “hi MaMere” and give hugs and kisses that would just make her day!
Special thanks go out to so many people, but especially to the following that were so important and gave her great care; Dr. Jennifer Gelbstein of Waterbury Medical, Dr. David Ospina and the staff at Mountain View Physicians, Dr. Phil at Waterbury Medical, Dr. Wallace and the staff at Fletcher Allen Health Care, and to all of the nurses at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice who cared for our Mom, especially Carol and Nancy.
More than special thanks go out to Gwen Grout for all her hours of caring for Mom, to Jennifer Humphrey for always making Mom feeling better with a new hairdo, and to Rick Blake (her boss) for being so patient and understanding during those many months of chemotherapy, radiation treatments and hospital stays. It is with deep appreciation for the kindness and understanding from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Blue Flame Gas for giving all of us children the time off to care and be with our Mom.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury on Monday at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury. The family requests that instead of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre VT 05641 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1460, Williston VT 05495 – 1460. To send on-line condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
