AUGUSTA – Laurette Florence Bellavance, 77, of Augusta peacefully passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at her home, after a spirited battle with cancer. She was best known for her spunky spirit, and her direct and loving approach. She will be missed by all who knew her, in their own special way.

She was born in Augusta on Dec. 10, 1945, as the daughter of Florence Gilbert-Bellavance and Leo Bellavance; she had five siblings and was raised in Augusta. She married Frankie (Robert) Houdlette January 1965, until Frankie’s passing in 1970. Laurette valued education and determinedly finished with her GED from Cony High School in 1981. She held several jobs including significant lengths of employment at Truitt Shoe in Gardiner and Digital SCI in Augusta.

Laurette had a very close relationship with her sister, Yvette, actively helping with her children, Richard and Rhonda, whom she remained close with throughout her life, particularly Rhonda, with whom she shared a special bond and who had a weekly date night with her watching their favorite show, Survivor. She had a very special bond with her best friend, Chester (Chet) Hutchinson, her brother-in-law. She was blessed with a lifelong friendship with Betty Coombes. This was an inseparable group, often camping, taking many back road adventures and calling each other by their CB “handles”. Laurette was known as “Baby Harry” and to many, “Little Leo”.

Laurette had a “can do” attitude and was often found helping with carpentry and car projects. One of her best memories was working on cars with Chet, who always loved to play practical jokes on her, which she took in stride with a glimpse of future payback. She loved hunting, fishing and camping with her brother Tony and his family. She enjoyed trips up north and 4-wheeling. Laurette also enjoyed playing cards many evenings with her sister Rosie and her brother-in-law, John, which provided years of laughter, entertainment and unforgettable memories.

During the last few years, Laurette’s heart was filled with the greatest love and pure joy of Vada-Leigh and Dirigo Peaslee. She was known as Ma Tante to them, and she sang them French songs, and often read and played on the floor with them. These were some of the best days of her life.

Laurette had a special bond with her Lord and Savior, reading scriptures and sharing his words with many. Every morning as she stood on her deck overlooking the pond she sang part of Psalm 118: This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made, I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it , and be glad in it….

Laurette was predeceased by her mother, Florence Z. Gilbert-Bellavance, and father, Leo -Bellavance; husband, Frankie Houdlette; sisters, Jo-Anne Pauley (Bellavance), Yvette Veilleux (Hutchinson), brother, Raymond Bellavance Sr; and great-great niece, Vada-Leigh Peaslee.

She is survived by her sister, Rose Magee, of Pittston, and brother, Tony Bellavance, of Belgrade; many loving nieces and nephews; and her stepchildren, Jeremy and Lisa Kalloch and their beautiful daughters, Ashley, Deanndra and Joyce Kalloch; along with her Dam Pond family Brenda, Peter, Judy and in loving memory of Roy, who shared many great times around the campfire.

Special thanks to Beacon Hospice for their loving kindness and support, and to her many care providers who made her end of life journey special, Bryttni, Lorna, Jen, Olivia, Laila, Charley, Felicia, Jessica, Annette and Chet and Cindy, along with many others, not the least of which, the Peaslee Family, who took Laurette into their home to care for her and fill her final days with love and care.

A graveside service will be held at Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road, in Augusta on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at noontime, followed by a celebration of her life at her home, located at 16 Roland’s Way, Augusta, Maine.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers,

please donate to:

Beacon Hospice

5 Community Dr.

Augusta, ME 04330

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