Anita Deschenes

Anita was born in Lewiston, Maine on October 15, 1934, the daughter of the late Clifford Pare and Cecile (Cote) Pare. She was educated in the local Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School with honors in 1953.

Anita married Yves G. Deschenes on May 30th, 1955 and raised eight children, supporting them in their many activities during childhood. She also held several jobs throughout her adult life in support of her family that included bartending at the Heathwood Inn, waitressing at Graziano’s Restaurant, and cashier at Ames Department Store.

Music and singing were a big part of Anita’s life, whether it was performing in musicals in high school, singing with local groups, Magic and Just Us, or singing and playing the piano at family gatherings. Anita loved to go places, she traveled whenever she had the chance, like traveling to Atlantic City, Florida, New York, or Las Vegas to name a few. Anita loved to eat out at restaurants with friends and family frequently, from weekly morning breakfasts with her family, and trips to her regular favorite restaurants Cole Farms in Gray or Ken’s Place in Scarborough, among others. She also enjoyed her time with the circle of her many life-long friends.

Anita was a member of Holy Cross Church. She volunteered with the local Elk’s club helping with Bingo as a fundraising effort for our veterans. She was also a huge supporter and volunteer to the Distinguished Young Women of the Year scholarship program, and the Miss Maine organization. She also enjoyed attending the Miss America pageant for many years.

Anita is predeceased by her husband, Yves Deschenes, her grandson Dustin Deschenes, her sister Monita Pare, brother Gerald Pare, and parents Clifford and Cecile Pare.

Anita leaves behind her children, Ann (daughter) and Richard Dennis of Lewiston, ME, Paul (son) and Cynthia Deschenes of Lewiston, ME, Michael (son) and Donna Deschenes of Leeds, ME, John (son) and Sandi Deschenes of Santa Fe, NM, Cynthia Deschenes (daughter) of Lewiston, ME, Lisa (daughter) and Philippe Bergeron of Franklin, MA, Richard (son) and Veronica Deschenes of Sabattus, ME, and Laurie (daughter) and William Cote of Leeds, ME. She will be missed by her 16 grandchildren: Leigh-Anne, Stacy, Timothy, Stephanie, Ryan, Dylan, Carolyn, Rebecca, Remy, Lexi, Heaven, Autumn, Avren, Jason, Haley, and Noah. She also leaves behind her 9 great-grandchildren: Piper, Evan, Gabrielle, Ander, Braylie, Madison, Lovell, Emerie, and Rowen.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 6th from 4 to 8pm at Fortin’s Funeral Home in Auburn, ME, with services to be held on Wednesday, June 7th at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston ME at 11:00AM followed by Committal Prayers at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

The Deschenes Family would like to thank the CNAs and RNs at Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice for almost 5 years of care and support through our mother’s hospice journey.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home | 217 Turner Street Auburn, ME 04210 | (207) 783-8545