1923 – 2015

AUBURN — Monique Y. Pratt, 92, took her leave of absence from this life to go to her eternal life in heaven at the Auburn Hospice House on Friday, July 24.

She was born in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec, Canada, on Jan. 31, 1923, to Jean-Thomas Maheu and Aurora Maheu. She had a sixth-grade education and was self-taught in English when she came to the United States at 12 years old. She became an American citizen on Sept. 27, 1944.

She married the love of her life, Gerard C. Pratt, at St. Louis Church on June 29, 1946. Together, they made their home in Auburn, then in Florida from 1980 to 1990, returning to live in Lisbon and later in Auburn. Gerard preceded her after 65 years of marriage on Feb. 18, 2012.

Monique was employed by Clark Shoes in Auburn as a fancy stitcher, Star Millenary as a sales clerk and Owen Moore and as an Avon sales representative, receiving many awards. She was an accomplished seamstress, and no job was too big to accomplish. EVEN BIG RED! Monique was a very proud lady and would love to dress to perfection, no matter where she was going. Everything had to match, including her husband’s colors to coordinate with her outfit.

She is survived by her two daughters, Monita and husband, Paul Ducharme, of Winthrop, Monette and husband, Richard Valcourt, of Auburn; and her son, Andre and wife, Rachel Pratt, of Auburn; five grandchildren, Scott and wife, Michelle Valcourt, of Berwick, Tanya Ducharme of Winthrop, Tina and husband, Scott Dennehy, of Brentwood, N.H., Michael and wife, Stephanie Pratt, of Turner, and Deidre Pratt and Mark Gilbert of Dover-Foxcroft; stepgrandchildren, Jason Chapman, Scarborough, Nathan Chapman, South Portland and Matthew and wife, Cassie Rae Chapman, of Alexandria, Va.; 10 great-grandchildren, Gregory and Elizabeth Valcourt, Kaitlyn, Jocelyn and Brayden Dennehy, Ava, Thomas and Claire Pratt, Halina Chapman and Wyatt Chapman; one brother, Jean Robert Maheu of Lewiston; sisters-in-law, MarieAnge Roy and Lorraine Roy; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law predeceased her.

The family would like to thank the staff at Montello Manor for the loving care they gave our mother for the past six years. Special thanks go out to the staff at the Androscoggin Hospice House, who took exceptional care of mom during her final days.

Mom told us four weeks ago that she “was going on a leave of absence to heaven.” She said she was tired, she had been here long enough and she was ready to go. She didn’t know what she was going to do in heaven, maybe answer the phone or cook. Whatever it was, she was ready for a new adventure. We will all miss you, Mom. The Mum, Guya and Grand Mama.