Genevieve M. (Gagne) Dussault

PORTLAND – Genevieve M. (Gagne) Dussault, 95, formerly of Winslow and Auburn, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Seventy-Five State Street, Portland.

Born in Waterville on May 2, 1929, she was the oldest daughter of Harvey E. and Blanche (King) Gagne Sr. She was educated in Winslow schools and was a 1949 graduate of Mount Merici Academy in Waterville.

Genevieve appeared in many plays and musicals while at Mt. Merici. She had an appreciation for music and opera and had a wonderful voice. Genevieve was also “Miss Maine of Cosmetology in 1949”. As a young girl she truly had a sense of adventure and enjoyed the Maine wilderness. She completed many camping and fishing trips to Jackman, Appalachian Trail and even “portaging” a canoe down the Allagash! Gen enjoyed many summers growing up on Belgrade and China lakes.

Upon graduation, Gen was employed by Joseph A. Roy Real Estate in Waterville.

One of Gen’s many passions was her love of gardening. She transplanted many beautiful flowers from her parent’s home to 115 South Main Street/corner of Ninth Street, Auburn, when she married Lucien J. Dussault in 1960.

Lucien was employed by his brother, Albert, and continued running Dussault Drug Store in New Auburn for many years after his brother’s retirement.

Genevieve enjoyed raising her daughters and cared for her dear mother, Blanche K. Gagne, until her death in 1993 at the age of 96.

Gen was a bookkeeper. Her career varied from librarian assistant at Sherwood Heights Elementary School, to Solar Distributors, Letter Perfect, Bates College and many other jobs in the Lewiston/Auburn area, and finally the bookkeeper at Ben Alpren Company.

Genevieve was always involved in giving back to the community. She helped her husband and other local small businesses with the start-up of the “New Auburn Business Group” serving as their secretary and bookkeeper. She was a parishioner at St. Louis Parish and a member of the “Ladies of St. Anne” for many years.

Genevieve was involved in the City of Auburn 100-year Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1969, as well as a member and volunteer at the Franco-American Heritage Center. She was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church, and in later years at Sacred Heart/Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

She was a volunteer in many L/A community and homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and clothing closet donation centers.

In later years, she enjoyed the Art Club with her daughter Rachel and many Auburn friends. Genevieve was an avid reader of mysteries and adventures, reading five books a week! She was a great Scrabble player and master Sudoku puzzle solver as well. She relocated to Portland five years ago and resided at Seventy-Five State Street where she enjoyed many activities; local day trips around Portland, Brain games, Bingo, and Trivia Pursuit!

Genevieve’s passions were to travel and see the world! She will always remember her trip to Cuba (pre-Castro) in 1949 with her sister, Helene, to visit a dear classmate. Gen traveled with daughter, Rachel, and also with her husband, Lucien, well into her late 80s. A few of her most memorable trips were to Spain, Italy, and her trip around South America…. Even trekking in Patagonia and the Falkland Islands. She had seen almost every state in the United States and many parts of Canada (her heritage).

She was predeceased by her husband, Lucien J. Dussault (2018); and her sister Helene L. Lavigueur (2017).

She is survived by her brother, Harvey E. Gagne Jr. of La Platta, Md.; daughter, Sarah J. Magnuson and husband Gary R. Magnuson of Hilton Head, S.C., daughter, Rachel R. Robinov of Cliff Island; grandchildren Breya L. Leach and husband Brian, Alec D. Robinov and fiancee Allysun West, Ashley M. Fass and husband Ben, Erik J. Magnuson; and great-grandsons Orrin and Rylan Leach; her godson, Francois I. Lavigueur Jr. of Groton, Conn.; and many nieces, nephews; and cousins.

Genevieve will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A special thank you to the staff and nurses at Seventy Five State Street in Portland, as well as the Northern Light Hospice visiting nurses for their kindness and compassion.

Genevieve’s strong faith and belief that “God is Good” and her serving the poor and needy her entire life will surely guide her to Heaven. She is now out of pain and we have all been blessed to have had her in our lives for 95 years.

Calling hours will be at the Albert and Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine St., Lewiston on Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 24 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn. Committal prayers and burial to follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

Condolences and fond memories of Genevieve may be shared online at http://www.albert-burpee.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Memory of Genevieve to:

St. Martin de Porres

(homeless shelter),

P.O. Box 7227,

Lewiston, ME 04243-7227, and

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers,

P.O. Box 302,

Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302.

(Maryknoll motto: is to Lead, Live and Serve).