BIDDEFORD — Laurence N. Martel, 86, of Biddeford, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at St. Andre’s Health Care Facility with her loving family by her side.
She was born June 29, 1927 in Biddeford, a daughter of Arthur and Blanche (Martineau) Simoneau.
She attended and graduated from St. Andre’s elementary school. She proudly treasured her high school diploma, which she acquired from Biddeford Adult Education in 1976.
Laurence married Raymond J. Martel at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford on April 17, 1947. He preceded her in death in January 1961 in a tragic accident on the Texas Tower located off the New Jersey coastline.
She lovingly raised her three young sons and worked at St. Andre’s Home and later at St. Andre’s Nursing Home as a CNA. She later worked for many years for Biddeford Savings Bank, retiring in 1992 as assistant branch manager.
Laurence was a former communicant of St. Joseph’s Church and St. Andre’s Church both in Biddeford.
She loved her three sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren immensely. Her best times were holidays, cooking her meatballs and chicken legs with tons of various snacks and sandwiches for her children and grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by: one sister, Lucille Cormier; and two brothers, Laurier and Andre Simoneau.
Laurence is survived by: three sons, Donald E. Martel and his wife Diane of Biddeford, Robert P. Martel and his wife Judy of Biddeford, and David J. Martel and his partner Beth Cardner of Kennebunk; seven grandchildren, Karen Moody, Kimberly Boisvert, Kelly Reissfelder, Janice Pomerleau, Steve Martel, Heather Balfour and Kevin Martel; 13 great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jocelyn Moody, Cara, Grace and Drew Boisvert, Michael, Brooke and Nicholas Reissfelder, Zachary Pomerleau, Michael, Sylvia and Mia Martel, and Alexander Martel.
Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 at Hope Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 383 U.S, Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to St. Andre’s Healthcare Facility Resident Activities Fund, 407 Pool St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A special thanks to St. Andre’s Healthcare Facility staff for the love, compassion and respect shown to our mother over the last five years. To share condolences online, visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
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