AUGUSTA – Jeannette A. (Ouellette) Lagace, 84, died Monday, May 23, 2022, at Bedside Manor in Oakland following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Augusta on Jan. 16, 1938, a daughter of the late Joseph and Laura (Dostie) Ouellette.

Mrs. Lagace was a graduate of Cony High School and a communicant of St. Michael’s Catholic Parish.

Jeannette was an extraordinary mother and wife of the late Donald O. Lagace Sr. Together they raised a family, owned and operated laundromat facilities, and established an enduring family business developing residential, office, and retail properties in Augusta, Fayette, Rangeley, and Florida under the ownership of Lagace Realty, Capitol City Associates and Lagace Properties.

Undoubtedly her lifetime notable achievement was her focus and dedication (with her husband, Don) to continuously improving the life of her daughter Roxanne who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Ignoring recommendations to institutionalize Roxanne after birth, Jeannette and Don initiated numerous grass-roots programs including Mid-State Cerebral Palsy and others with a focus of normalization and integration of the disabled into mainstream society. They developed two group homes dedicated to improving the lives of many disabled young adults including Roxanne. Roxanne lives in her own supervised apartment today, a feat none thought imaginable during Roxanne’s childhood years. Despite her Alzheimer’s, Jeannette’s and Don’s dreams culminated in 2014 when the non-profit organization that they developed (Summer Street Associates) donated the Summer Street group home to Uplift Inc. of Gardiner, whose mission is to provide residential, integration, and employment services to adults with disabilities. Their collective legacy of improving the quality of life for their daughter, Roxanne, and many others continues today through Uplift, Inc.

Mrs. Lagace is survived by a very special daughter, Roxanne L. Lagace of Augusta, two sons, Donald O. Lagace, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Augusta, Peter R. Lagace of Fayette and daughter-in-law, Julia L. Lagace of Augusta; a sister, Lorraine Dumais of Saco; four grandchildren, Olivia, Emily, Betsy, and Elliot; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

At her request, there will be no public visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Northern Ave., Augusta. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 13 in the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta.

A heartfelt thank you from the Lagace’s to the staff and owners of Bedside Manor in Oakland. The atmosphere, warmth, care, and love Mom received was truly outstanding.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

Those who desire may make donations in Jeannette’s memory to:

Uplift, Inc

25 Winter St.

Gardiner, ME 04345

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