LOUISE NAZARETH (SYLVIA) GUILLETTE HOULTON – Louise Nazareth (Sylvia) Guillette, 89, passed away on April 12, 2017. She was born May 17, 1927, to Anthony Sylvia and Mary (Enos) Sylvia. She was the widow of Laurent “Larry” Guillette who she met at Lincoln Park in Dartmouth, MA. Louise grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. During WWII she was clerk at the Army hospital at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod. She became a legal secretary and later a medical secretary working for Drs. Radcliffe, Gardiner, Bullard, and Ridzon for 30 years. In the mid 1960s, she was accepted into the Physician Assistance program at Harvard Medical School. She became the first Board Certified Physician Assistant in Southeastern Massachusetts. She belonged to the American Association of Physician Assistants traveling regularly to NYC and often to cities across the US. She continued to work for Dr. Radcliffe until his retirement. She then worked for his nephew Dr. Ross before retiring in 1991; having worked 25 years as a PA-C.
Despite her busy work life, she enjoyed many activities with her family. Louise was involved in girl scouting, the local rod and gun club, aerobics, line dancing, tennis, cake decorating, crafts, sewing and cooking. She even spent 20 years with the Tonan Judo Club earning her black belt in Jitsu Yo Teki Jiu Jitsu and Aiki-jitsu.
Upon retirement Louise and Larry moved to Maine to be closer to two of their children. Louise became a 7th degree member of the Monticello Grange and was a member of the Monticello Fish and Game Club. She served on the Board of the Aroostook Agency on Aging. She was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church and belonged to the Houlton Council of Catholic Women and Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. At the age of 87, Louise became a Professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order with St. John the Baptist Fraternity in Waterville and was very instrumental in helping form the Houlton Franciscan Group.
Louise cared for all people. She will be remembered most for her wonderful memory and wit, her prayerful spirit and her beautiful smile.
Louise leaves behind three children, Louise Beaulieu and her partner, Victor Alexander of Orient and Robbinston, Lynette and Roger Dobbs of Littleton and Larry and Marlys (Farn) Guillette of Calais; seven grandchildren, Jennifer and Joseph Sewell, Kimberly and Timothy Meachum, Michael Dobbs, Daniel Dobbs, John Dobbs and his fiancée, Meleah Lampron, James Dobbs, Jarod and Eunju Guillette; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Alexander and Oliver Sewell, Jack and Nolan Meacham and Leah Guillette; two sisters, Alice and Robert Cornell of Southbury, CT, and Marilyn and Jack Smith of Lancaster, SC; a niece, several nephews and many friends as well as her Franciscan family. She was predeceased by her loving husband, parents and son-in-law, Bruce Beaulieu.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Gardiner Health Care Facility and Dr. Abouleish.
Friends called 6-8 p.m. on Monday, April 17th, 2017, at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water Street, Houlton. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Mary’s of the Visitation Catholic Church with Fr. David Raymond celebrant followed by a reception in the parish center. A spring interment will be in the Jewell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to give a donation may give to St. Mary of the Visitation, 112 Military Street, Houlton ME 04730, Houlton OFS, 112 Military Street, Houlton ME 04730, Vital Pathways, 37 Bangor Street, Houlton ME 04730 or a charity of their choice. For an online memory book and to leave condolences please visit www.bowersfuneral.com
