1941 – 2015
SOUTH PARIS — Joan Lebroke, 74, of Norway passed at the Maine Veterans’ Home on Monday, Sept. 21, with her family at her side. She had struggled for a number of years with Alzheimer’s, but through it all, her children and her loving husband, Art Lebroke, had been great sources of support and love.
Joan was born Feb. 20, 1941, in Bingham. She was the youngest of seven children of Frank and Cecilia (Merrill) Morris. Joan graduated Bingham High School in the Class of 1959. Following high school, she studied at Thayer Hospital in Waterville to become a laboratory technician.
Joan moved to Norway, where she started her first job at Stephens Memorial Hospital. It was at that time that she met the love of her life, Arthur Lebroke of Norway, and married him on May 27, 1961. At the time of her passing, Joan and Art had been married for 54 years.
Joan became a stay-at-home wife and mom to raise her three children. In the 1980s, she returned to work again at Stephens Memorial as a lab tech. She also enjoyed being a Mary Kay consultant for a period of time.
Joan loved to cook and thoroughly enjoyed having holiday meals at her home, surrounded by the love of her family. She enjoyed gardening, family camping trips, sewing, reading, music and painting crafts.
Over the years, she thrived in her role as wife, mother and grandmother and spent countless hours with her children and grandchildren as they grew. She also enjoyed many trips to her camp with her friends, “The Girls,” Shirley LaFrance, Diane Wade and Edith LaFrance.
Joan was a proud, hardworking woman with a ready smile, a kind heart and a loving soul, and she was a steadfast friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her. Her family’s love and devotion to her during the past years of her life is a testament to the love that she instilled in them.
Joan was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Norway. She was actively involved in both church and community events throughout her lifetime.
Joan leaves behind her devoted and loving husband, Arthur of Norway; and their three children, David Lebroke and wife, Denise, of West Paris, Stephen Lebroke and his wife, Janie, of Del Rio, Texas, and Cynthia Turner and her fiance, Ernie Fitts, of Norway. She also leaves six grandchildren, Eric Smith, Chelsea Turner, Ryan Lebroke, Kayla Turner, Mathew Lebroke and Lisa Lebroke; plus many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents; and siblings, Phyllis Chase, Pauline Bell, Helen McDonald, Bud Morris, Joe Morris and Weldon Morris; and cousins, Eldon Bean and Bernard Bean, who were like brothers to her.
Special thanks to the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home in the B unit, who lovingly cared for Joan. Your love and support during this journey can never be repaid.
Condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.
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