1924 -2016

LEWISTON — Lucille Gertrude (Langlais) Dehetre, 92, formerly of Harold Street, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, after a long illness.

The daughter of Denis and Melvina (Roy) Langlais, Lucille was born in Hamlin on Feb. 20, 1924.

When Lucille was 9 years old, Denis and Melvina moved their family of 10 children from Van Buren to Lewiston to a second-floor apartment on Park Street. The family became complete with the birth of the baby of the family, a girl, Doreen (LeBrun.) Lucille completed her elementary education, attending Coburn School, and while in her teens, went to work with her girlfriends at the Androscoggin Mill.

At 18, Lucille in response to a call for women to assist in the World War II effort, joined her girlfriends in “quite an adventure,” as she described it. She left Maine to live in Connecticut and to build American aircraft engines at Pratt & Whitney. Lucille made lifelong friends and was admired by all. Preserved in her treasures was this poem which she received from an admirer during her year at Pratt & Whitney:

So Sweet Blonds of which I’m fondest of

There is one works near my job.

Lucille Langlais is this city’s label

Soft blonde hair like Betty Grable.

Sweetest baby eyes of blue

Lucille the boys rave over you!

Wow what curves I hear them say

Every time you come my way.

Winning ways not just a few

With them you know what to do.

A little smile in passing by

Or sidelong glance perhaps a sigh.

So easy when you’re in the know

To make new friends while on the go.

Your job it is to handle parts

Why are you always breaking hearts?

Toward the end of the war, Lucille returned to Lewiston to work at the Pepperell Bleachery, where she was employed for almost 30 years. Her co-worker, Lorraine Brown, described Lucille in hair curlers arriving to work her shift, all “set” for when her shift ended. After a quick comb-out, she would hurry off to shop at Wards. When the bleachery closed she went to work at St. Mary’s Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Raymond Dehetre. They were married on April 30, 1974, in Las Vegas, Nev. He brought richness and excitement to her life. There was one time when Raymond was carried into their home by her brother, Gene, after Raymond was run over by a banana truck. Years later, Lucille would, with a chuckle, describe the scene and the bananas falling from Ray’s pockets.

A communicant of Holy Family Church, Lucille with Raymond faithfully holding her hand, could be seen walking to church to attend Mass. In fact, she described walking with Raymond when it was not the fashion and boasted that they had a jar full of “found money.” The couple was inseparable until his death, and Raymond often referred to Lucille as “my beauty.”

As a result of stroke in 2005, Lucille became a resident of d’Youville Pavilion. Lucille and her family would like to thank the members of the d’Youville staff who popped chocolates into her mouth, lovingly held her hand, styled her hair and provided years of care.

Lucille is survived by her son, Michael Michaud of Lewiston; two grandsons, Bradley Michaud of Texarkana, Texas, and Alan Michaud of Frisco, Texas; one great-granddaughter, Carly Sue Michaud, born in 2015; and by her only godchild and devoted niece, Gail (Lebrun) Paione. Also surviving are her brother, Gene Langlais of Sabattus; sisters, Doreen Lebrun of Lewiston, and Georgette Reny of Augusta; two brothers-in-law, Laurier Dehetre and Richard Dehetre of Lewiston; a sister-in-law, Janice Conners; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Lucille was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Raymond Dehetre in 2004; sisters, Pauline Thibault, Simone Emond, Yvette Roux, Jeannine Poulin and Blanche Legendre; brothers, Arthur and George Langlais; and granddaughter, Kelly Michaud in 1970.

Friends and family are invited to offer condolences and share memories on Lucille’s online guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.