Jeannette Veronica (Michaud) Curtis

WATERVILLE – Jeannette Veronica Michaud Curtis, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at her home in Waterville with love in her heart and her loving family by her side.

Jeannette was born on Dec. 5, 1930, in Waterville, and is the daughter of Joseph E. Michaud of Saint-Isadore, QC, Canada and Hermoza V. Michaud (Gilbert) of Waterville. She graduated from Waterville High School in the Class of 1948.

After graduation, Jeannette was employed by Spring Brook Ice and Fuel in Waterville while patiently waiting for her high school sweetheart, Keith M. Curtis, to return to Waterville Maine from his U.S. Navy deployments.

On May 16,1953, she married Keith, the endearing love of her life. Over the next three years, Jeannette and Keith were blessed with three children, Kathy, Scott and Craig. After living in Waterville and then Brunswick, they left Maine and moved to Wappingers Falls, N.Y. where they raised their children until they graduated from college. Jeannette was a stay-at-home nurturing mother and beloved wife. She was the quintessential homemaker, managing all aspects of the family. She did a phenomenal job of maintaining the household, juggling the busy schedules of three very active children, cooking delicious meals like her infamous French-Canadian tourtieres, and gathering the entire group for obligatory and memorable family dinners. She instilled in her three children the importance of family life, unconditional love, and the values of hard work, commitment, respect, gratitude and integrity. She dearly loved her husband Keith, her three children, her five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. They were her pride and joy.

In 1989, Jeannette and Keith moved back to Waterville, their “home-sweet-home”. They found their dream home and settled down to enjoy their retirement, family, friends and their life together. It was a special time for them. Jeannette enjoyed several hobbies, including baking, reading, gardening, basket weaving, puzzle making, and over 30 years of team and doubles bowling. She was a very talented seamstress, creating beautiful outfits and home decor for herself, family, and friends. She was always happy to assist when someone needed tailoring or alterations. Jeannette looked forward to summer vacations at Moosehead Lake where the family went for many years. She loved boating, swimming, canoeing, cooking four-course meals campside and watching sunrises and sunsets with Keith, and connecting with old friends each year. After she and Keith became empty-nesters, and even into their 80s, they continued trips to the lake, preferring the rustic lifestyle of a campground over an amenity-filled cabin. They enjoyed nature and being outdoors and they truly perfected their art of camping. Jeannette’s beautiful love story with Keith was put on hold when he passed away in 2023. After more than 70 years together, the loss she felt was unimaginable, leaving a void in her heart. She will be remembered as a kind, friendly, loyal, devoted, and courageous woman, a woman who loved her husband and family unconditionally, a woman who would reach out to help friends and neighbors. She will be greatly missed and cherished deeply within our hearts and in our memories. She is at peace now, reunited with her husband, joyfully dancing in Heaven to their all-time favorite songs.

Jeannette was predeceased by her loving husband of 70 years, Keith Merle Curtis; her parents, Joseph E. Michaud and Hermoza V. Michaud; her three sisters, Gertrude Michaud, Germaine Alice Michaud Orloff, and Marie Michaud Lacombe, and a brother, Joseph Michaud.

She is survived by her three children, Kathy L. Curtis-Hernandez RN and her spouse, Gus Hernandez of Scottsdale Ariz., Dr. Scott K. Curtis DVM of Winslow, and Dr. Craig W. Curtis MD and his spouse, Sande Curtis NP of Dedham; her younger brother, Harold Michaud and his spouse, Stephanie of Shrewsbury, Mass., her sister-in-law, Elizabeth King Michaud of Waterville; her five grandchildren, Justin Curtis Jenkins and his spouse, Andrew Foster Shi of Los Angeles Calif., Dr. Kimberly J. Curtis PhD and her spouse, Ian McDonnell of Marlborough Mass., Ethan S. Curtis of Winslow, Dr. Kyle E. Curtis MD and his spouse Erika Curtis of Farmington, Marcis I. Curtis of Dedham; and a great-granddaughter, Eloise Curtis.

A public graveside memorial service will be held for Jeannette and her husband, Keith, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville, on Saturday Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. Immediately following the memorial service, a reception and Celebration of Life will be held for Jeannette at the Best Western Plus Grand Hotel, 375 Main St., in Waterville.

Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville ME 04901. Memories may be shared and an online registry book may be signed by visiting: vrlfuneralhome.com