1931 – 2015
LEWISTON — Jackie McLellan died Wednesday, Oct. 7, at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, following a long battle with terminal aging.
Born Jacqueline Doris Lebrun on Feb. 19, 1931, she and her sister were orphaned at a very early age. At 14, she began working and never stopped.
She married Roland Gervais and for a short time, ran a dog kennel out of their home in Greene. Not afraid of a challenge, she raised seven boys.
Her only luxury was a 1947 Packard hearse, which she used to cart her kids to and from school — and also possibly as a visual warning of where you’d end up if you crossed her. For her relentless ability to speak her mind, she was dubbed “The Lip.” But that proved to be a hurtful and inadequate designation because with just a look, she could make herself heard.
She worked stitching moccasins from home, as a waitress at The Village Inn and spent many years and double shifts at Pioneer Plastics in Auburn.
She will best be remembered, not for the tough love it took to raise seven boys, but for the creative way she kept them all fed. Her children will forever fondly remember her for the words, “Eat more bread.”
She outlived her first husband and her second, Earle McLellan; and sadly also one son, Marc.
She leaves behind six sons, Eddie, Robert, Roger, Paul, Gerry and Ricky Gervais; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Though there are few relatives and friends to miss her, there’s no one who will forget her.
Send questions/comments to the editors.