Bertha E. Audette Obituary (1929 - 2014)

WINTHROP ~ Bertha E. Audette, known to many as Bea, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 8, 2014 at her home in Winthrop, at the age of 85. Bea was born in North Lincoln, ME February 1, 1929, the fifth child of six children of Beulah Knights Stinson and Carl Stinson. Upon the death of her father in 1931 and mother in 1936, Bea, at the tender age of 7, and 4 other siblings, went to live with her Uncle Judson Theodore Stinson and his Wife Emily Blanche Stinson on their farm in Manchester ME. Bea was a 1946 graduate of Cony High School and after high school entered the Central Maine General Hospital School of nursing, graduating in September of 1950. After graduation, and as a present for herself, Bea and her good friend Jean Bubier drove across the United States to California. On November 10, 1950 she married Paul Francis Audette of Winthrop ME. They both stayed in California where they raised seven children. Bea became a full time mom devoting herself to being home nurse, teacher and full time soccer mom. Once Bea got her wheels, off she went with the kids in tow camping and to the beaches of California. Bea was full of adventure and always ready to go. Bea returned to Maine with her husband Paul in 1979. With her husband retired and children soon to be out of the house Bea was looking for something to keep her busy. Besides reconnecting with her sisters & brothers traveling all over the state of Maine Bea turned her attention to school. In 1986 she graduated from KVCC EMT School and in 1986 she graduated from KVCC Practical Nursing School. Bea worked for a period of time at the Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta until she retired. Bea volunteered with Hospice and grieving children and worked as a hospice caregiver for several Winthrop residents. She was active with the Silver Sneakers at the Manchester YMCA and her friends whom she named “The Ladies” getting together for Lunch and a friendly game of cards. Bea had a special place in her heart for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was fortunate most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren lived in Maine spending quality time regularly. She is predeceased by her husband Paul Audette in March 2002; Brothers Carl and Owen Stinson; sisters Ella Jenkins and Myra Lovejoy; Step brother Robert Haynes and step sister Betty Haynes. She is survived by her sister Joyce Bubier of Auburn; a son Douglas Audette and his wife, Dora, of Sacramento CA; a son Paul Audette and his wife Carol, of Winthrop; a son Mark Audette of Portland; a son Michael Audette and his wife, Holly, of Elizabeth City, NC; a son Richard Audette of Winthrop; a daughter, Paula Audette of Manchester; and a son, Chief Roger Audette and Donna Nason-Geroux, of Augusta, several nieces and nephews, 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. A celebration of Bea’a life will be held at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop on Friday March 14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Spring burial will be at the Glenside Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, those wishing to may make memorial contributions to the MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com