She was born in Biddeford on June 5, 1924, the daughter of Arthur and Florida (Perreault) Lantagne. She was educated in Biddeford schools.
Simone married her husband, James Benson, on Jan. 27, 1951. She was employed over the years in local shoe factories and later at Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland.
Simone was a proud member of American Legion Post 26 Women’s Auxiliary in Biddeford. There she actively participated in the monthly bean suppers and contributed her sought-after cole slaw.
She was a longtime member of St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford and in recent years had been a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Simone loved being outdoors, going on picnics, and spending time at the ocean, lakes, and mountains with family and friends. When her children were young, she and Jim enjoyed renting a cabin on a lake in Southern Maine. She especially enjoyed a trip to Bermuda with her family. She was an avid reader and an “armchair traveler” who liked learning about other cultures. Simone’s other hobbies included knitting as well as doing arts and crafts and crossword puzzles.
Simone always welcomed her children’s friends into her home and enjoyed baking for them, especially her famous whoopie pies and chocolate cakes. She was like a “second mom” to many of them. Simone encouraged her children to learn and pursue their interests and was most proud of her children’s successes in their chosen careers.
She was predeceased by her husband James and her brother Robert Lantagne.
Simone is survived by: daughters, Catherine Bachelder of South Portland and Elaine Simard of Saco; son, John Gay and his wife, Betty, of Salem, New Hampshire; granddaughter, Jennifer Barker, great-granddaughter, Madison and great-grandson, Connor of Fairborn, Ohio; granddaughter, Janabeth Reitter and her family of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire; brother, Roland Lantagne of Biddeford; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Cote Funeral Home with burial immediately following in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
If friends desire, donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074 where Simone received loving care during the last days of her life.
To sign the guestbook or leave condolences to the family, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com.
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