1923 – 2015
LEWISTON—Isabelle Bonneau, 92, of Lewiston passed away at the d’Youville Pavilion in the comfort and care of her friends, family and wonderful attentive caregivers on Saturday, Oct. 24.
She was born at home in Lewiston to Charles W. Tartre and Judith Choquette Tartre on Jan. 8, 1923, during a harsh blizzard. Isabelle would joke that when she was little, she felt she wasn’t worth as much as her brothers and sister, all of whom were born in a hospital. Family and friends delighted in her wit and humor.
She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1941.
Continuing her love of literature and Spanish and always the lifelong learner, Isabelle attended Lewiston-Auburn College and the University of Southern Maine. She was employed by the former First National Bank of Lewiston, Railway Express Agency and the state of Maine.
On Feb. 2, 1963, she married Edgar Bonneau and bravely took on the challenge of raising four young children. Isabelle and Edgar shared the love of the ocean and spent summers in Old Orchard Beach. Weekends walking the beach, barbecues and reading the morning newspaper on their screened porch were their best times together. In the winter, she and Edgar would spend time in Florida or traveling with her brother, Ed, and his wife, Pauline.
Isabelle was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. A picture or story was always at the ready.
She is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Pratt and husband, Richard, of Portland, Ore., and Diane Morrison and her husband, Steve, of North Yarmouth; two sons, Ron Bonneau and wife, Marla, of Scarborough, and Al Bonneau and wife, Pam, of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; five grandchildren, Kathleen Pratt, Stephanie Morrison, Stephen Morrison, Katherine Bonneau and Kyle Morrison; and great-granddaughter, Scarlet.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Edgar; sister, Marie Louise; and two brothers, Edmond and Raymond
Here is a quote from Isabelle’s well-loved book, “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach — waiting for a gift from the sea.”
Condolences, donations and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.
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