Loiselle, Christine E. “Cricket” Blanchette, 55, July 8, 2015. Interment to be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
ELLSWORTH – Christine Elizabeth Loiselle, 55, affectionately known as “Cricket” or “Aunt Chrickie,” died after a 10-year battle with kidney cancer as well as a battle with breast cancer in the last year and a half of her life. She was born January 21, 1960, in Houlton, Maine, the daughter of Armand and Anita (Robichaud) Blanchette.
Cricket grew up in Houlton, Maine, and worked at Harrigan’s Market as a cashier until she met her husband, Peter Loiselle, a teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Houlton. After marrying Pete, they made their home in Ellsworth, Maine, where they were parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Christine was employed for 22 years at Wayside and Tideway Markets in Ellsworth and Hancock. She worked tirelessly preparing breakfast sandwiches and luncheon subs for the “regulars” that came to the store and had a real knack for preparing chicken which was something she was quite proud of. In her time there, she met and befriended many a Downeast clam-digger and worm-digger who frequented the store in the early morning hours before and after going out to their jobs on the coastal mudflats. Cricket entertained her family and friends daily with her sense of humor and comedic timing. Even in her last days, she brought laughter to those around her.
She is survived by her loving husband, Peter; her parents Armand and Anita Blanchette; six siblings, Marc Blanchette, Timothy Blanchette and his wife, Kathy, Louis Blanchette and his wife, Phyllis, all of Houlton, Mary Brown of Hampden, Patricia Sloat and husband, Andrew, of Houlton and Barbara Lambert and husband, Stuart, of Presque Isle. She is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews, several of whom heard her rendition of “Grandma’s Featherbed” many times on her guitar and enjoyed “sleepovers” with her at Gram and Pepe’s house. As well, she is survived by 16 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Bernadette Howe. The family would like to thank the staff at CancerCare of Maine for the impeccable care that Cricket received while living her battle with cancer and a special thank you to Pete’s brother, “Dr. Dan,” for his help and advice. Most especially, immeasurable thanks to Missy and Maddy Blanchette for their untiring care for Aunt Chrickie during her final months.
Friends called from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015 at Bowers Funeral Home, Water Street, Houlton, Maine. A Rosary was prayed at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, Military Street, Houlton, Maine, with Rev. David Raymond as celebrant. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ark Animal Sanctuary in Houlton or to CancerCare of Maine. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.
