Laura Vema Horne Tourtelotte

GARDINER – Laura Vema Tourtelotte, 96, died Nov. 19, 2023, from the results of a fall in her home.

She was born Feb. 6, 1927, to James T. Horne and Laura Belle (Hurley) in Rosser, Texas.

Laura was the last of six children, Imogene, James Thomas Jr., Forrest, Sybil and Marjorie Horne, all who passed before her. Laura’s Mom, Belle passed on when she was two. Laura grew up working in her Dad’s cotton fields until World War II broke out to work in Dallas and eventually moved to Tacoma, Wash., with her brother, Forrest. Laura met a tall handsome Navy Mainer, Chester Tourtelotte, The war ended and they traveled east to Bowdoinham, in 1946 and became the parents to five children, Paul (Diane) Gregory (Vickie), and Jeffrey Tourtelotte, Sherry LeBlanc and Teresa Maschino. Her son, Gregory predeceased Laura in 2016 as well as her Grandson, Bryan Tourtelotte in 1998 and son-in-law, Steven Fowles in 1987.

During her life with Chester they lived in Harpswell in the summer. Our experience with my Mom putting life jackets on all five of us every morning as if it was a tee shirt because she this Texan did not know how to swim, will never be forgotten. Our winter months were spent watching her work hard for the eight or nine people on an old 100 acre farmhouse with no running water or plumbing except a pump at the sink. Laura and her five children moved to Randolph in 1961 where everyone in the neighborhood called her Maw or Mrs. T. There was always room for one more child at the table but they better be ready to be treated just like one of her own. Laura was a generous person and always found reasons to go to the Salvation Army to shop for another person’s needs. She was never afraid to do anything herself or work hard. Laura went back to school in her early fifties and received her diploma and CNA certificate as well as her driver’s license. Her favorite memories were of her motorcycle trip across the United States and of her many trips to Moxie Falls with Jeff.

Laura was always there to care for her grandchildren which were many Paul had given her the opportunity with Craig Tourtelotte and his children Destiny, Romane, Zanaya, and Maximus; Bryan’s boys Adrien (Jordan),Jameson,Thatcher, Arron (Becky), and Jason (Angelia);Josie Maschino, Tayla (Nat Wallace)Joseph, Hunter; Nickeita, Halo, Ford; Lisa Caron (Bob) Micaela (Doug) Beau, Isaiah, Alex, Samantha; Ashley, Gavin, Cainan; Mike Tourtelotte (Jen) Tyler; Stephanie Clinton, Van; Nathan Mckenna (Jennifer) Gabriel and Ben, Mark Leblanc (Leslie) Devin, Adam; Jeff Leblanc (Cami) Brennan, Brielle, Griffin, and Jack. Special Daughter in laws: Suzanne Larrabee and Son in laws Joseph Maschino (Julie) and Daniel McKenna (Cathy).Grand daughter April Elie and special friend, Patty Mansir.

Services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.