Lorraine F. Deshaies

Lorraine F. (Nason) Deshaies
Lorraine (Nason) Deshaies, 97, formerly of Old Orchard Beach, sadly passed away (just before her 98th birthday) peacefully at St. Andre Healthcare in Biddeford, with her son by her side. Lorraine was born in Saco on April 30th, 1927 to Walter Nason and Alice (Bowring) Nason, and was one of seven siblings in the family of five girls and two boys. Lorraine was educated in Saco Schools and was a good student, but had to leave her sophomore year at Thornton Academy to help support her family. She worked at the Newberry 5 + 10 store on Main Street in Biddeford when she was 15 years old.
The Nason Family moved to Somersworth, NH during the Second World War, where Walter worked at the shipyard and Lorraine worked at a Ben Franklin chain store. Lorraine was married to Robert Devou Sr. at the time and two children came along, Robert Jr. in 1944 and Lorraine in 1946.
After the war the family moved to Lyman and bought a farmhouse. Then the Great Fire of 1947 broke out in Maine across several different communities. Lorraine saved her family by driving through fire and smoke on both sides of the Waterboro Road in Lyman to safety in Biddeford. She had just gotten her driver's license and learned how to drive an old Ford stick shift. She had persuaded some family members to leave the farmhouse which eventually burnt to the ground. Most of the men were out fighting fires.
Not long after the 1947 fire Robert Sr. and Lorraine divorced. Lorraine then married Lucien Provencher who worked as a mechanic at the Biddeford Mills, and she worked as a weaver. They were married many years and had a secure marriage, but unfortunately that marriage also ended in divorce.
Lorraine was a shy, quiet, strong, beautiful woman who was probably ahead of her time in regards to women's rights. In her younger years Lorraine loved to sing Country & Western music. She also was an excellent swimmer, recalling the days when she and her friend and neighbor, Rachel, swam way out in the ocean at Old Orchard Beach and the life guards had to whistle them back to shore. This happened more than once and they were almost kicked off the beach. Lorraine loved taking two-hour walks, first with Paul and later with son, Robert Jr., and then a trip to Burger King for her chicken nuggets.
While still working as a weaver at the Biddeford Mills she met Paul Deshaies, a supervisor at the mill. They married on December 31, 1976 and celebrated 24 years of marriage until his death in 2001. Lorraine owned 2 businesses in Biddeford, Little Folks Nursery, and a variety store with Paul on Main and Elm Street. She worked 27 years at the Biddeford Mills as a weaver, a job she loved. She also worked at Burger King, McDonalds and The Ball Park in Old Orchard Beach.
Lorraine traveled a lot too, first with her friend and neighbor Rachel to New York City; then with Paul and family to Disney World in Florida. Paul and Lorraine, and Lorraine's Sister Eleanor went on many cruises together. One special trip was to Las Vegas with her daughter, also named Lorraine. Lorraine and Paul loved to dance at the Biddeford Senior Center and at the Eagles.
Lorraine was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Alice Nason; by all three husbands, Robert Devou Sr., Lucien Provencher and Paul Deshaies; by her brother, Walter Nason Jr.; and by her sisters, Coreen, Carolyn, Marjorie, Sylvia and Eleanor.
She is survived by her brother Sheldon Nason; by her son, Robert (Marie) Devou Jr.; her daughter, Lorraine Lamontagne; granddaughters, Kristine Adams, Debra (Robert) Dipietrantonio, Tanya Devou, Patricia Bartlett, Michele Hallet, and Jamie (Rafig) Luongive. She is also survived by six great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons, one great great-grandaughter, and three great great-grandsons, by several nieces and nephews, and two stepsons, Robert (Elaine) Deshaies and Roger Deshaies. Lorraine will be sadly missed by all.
The family would like to thank all staff members at St. Andre's Healthcare for their compassionate care for Lorraine while she was there, especially Donna for the little extra care. The family also wants to thank Compassus Hospice for helping our family through our loss.
Visiting Hours will be from 10AM-12:30PM on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. A Funeral Mass will follow at 1PM at St. Margaret Church, Old Orchard Beach. Burial will take place the following day, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 1PM in Woodlawn Cemetery, Biddeford.