Marie-Louise Jalbert

LEWISTON – Marie-Louise Jalbert, 80, of Lewiston, died at Clover Health Care facility in Auburn, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, with her family by her side after battling a short illness.

She was born August 6, 1940, in the Tunisia, North Africa. Daughter of a French Army base commander (Lt. Colonel Jair), she spent the first nine years of her childhood in country. She received schooling at the various French Army bases in North Africa, France and Germany that her father would command. Her education was broad and wide-ranging, both in the classroom and cultural experiences this world has to offer, including the opportunity to develop working fluency in other languages (esp. Arabic and German) beyond her French native tongue.

It was while her father was posted to Germany as a base commander (FFSA) in the French Zone of post war Germany, Marie-Lou would meet future husband Romeo, stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, and marry in 1961. Upon Romeo’s discharge, she would immigrate to the United States, settling in Lewiston, earn her U.S. citizenship, and master, yet another language, English.

Marie-Louise was first and foremost, a homemaker, raising three children (Edward, Nicole and Francois) but would later work in convalescence facilities as a resident’s activity director and with Romeo in the family business before retiring.

She was an avid gardener, particularly in retirement at her mountain retreat of 15 years, in East Dixfield. Hummingbirds were numerous in her gardens and held a very special place in her heart. Marie-Lou was also an accomplished seamstress and skilled in the culinary arts. Her rich cultural experiences growing up resulted in many delicious North African and French dishes for all to enjoy. In particular, plates using couscous and beyond description, exquisite pate a choux and profiteroles for dessert.

The greatest joys in this life were her children, grand and great-grandchildren.

Marie-Louise was preceded in death by husband, Romeo; and sister, Genevieve.

She is survived by four brothers, Guy, Sauvier, Hubert and Marcelen, all of France; three children, Edward Jalbert and wife Debbie, Nicole Oberlander and husband Mike, Frank Jalbert and wife Kim, all of Lewiston; grandchildren Dustin Oberlander and wife Kirby of South Bend, Ind., Nicholas Jalbert and wife Morgan, of Auburn, Nathan Cyr and wife Kylee of Augusta, Noah Jalbert of Lewiston, Kaitlynn LaFlamme and husband Scott of Durham, Zachary Pike and longtime girlfriend Bayley Scott of West Gardiner; great-grandchildren Delaney, Haylee, Keyanna, Madeline, Zayne, Kyra and Sawyer.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of The Fortin Group 70 Horton St., Lewiston.