Marie Therese Gauthier

Marie-Thérèse was born in Rumford on May 17, 1925, to Alfred Routhier and Esther Beliveau Routhier. She attended local schools and graduated from Stephen’s High School in 1943. Marie-Thérèse trained at Mercy hospital, Portland, Maine, in 1944, and then transferred to the Rumford hospital where she completed her nurse’s courses and was employed as a private duty nurse.

Marie-Thérèse was a longtime resident of Rumford where she was active in the Extension for many years. She was married for 63 years to Francis Gauthier. Together they raised two daughters. As a family they spent many happy summers at “the camp” on Worthley Pond where she spent many hours sailing on her “cat”.

Marie-Thérèse enjoyed an active retirement with her husband. They traveled extensively in the US and Europe visiting family and friends. She particularly enjoyed cross country skiing with the “Over Hills Gang” on the many trails and back roads of Western Maine. She alpine skied until her mid-70’s and, at age 77, her new passion became kayaking on Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester. She was an avid knitter and her legacy is the many hats, sweaters, mittens and socks still worn by her family. The sunshine of her life, great-grandson Colby, is the newest generation sporting her knitting creations.

Marie-Thérèse is survived by her daughter Anne Gauthier-Maurice and her husband David Maurice of New Gloucester; her daughter, Paula Gauthier of New Gloucester; her grandchildren Janessa and Brent Maurice of Portland; her great grandson Colby; her sister Jeanne Lefebvre of Charma, New Mexico; and her bothers Albert Routhier of Baltimore, Maryland; Robert Routhier of Augusta, Georgia; and David Routhier of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The family would like to thank Pauline Bowie and Holly Johnson for their compassionate care during the last months’ of her life.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday December 29, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Athanasius and St. John Church in Rumford with burial and celebration of life to follow in the spring. On-line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.