Rachel Lovejoy

Peru - Rachel E. Lovejoy, 90, passed away unexpectedly at her home on January 9, 2018. She was born on November 21, 1927, a daughter of William B. and Shirley (Gill) Austin. A lifelong resident of West Peru, ME, she lived most of her life in sight of the home where she was born and raised.

A graduate of Stephens High School, Rachel worked for a variety of employers including Stowell MacGregor, Diamond International, and Kidder’s Store, but was most proud of serving as one of the oldest employees of Hannaford Brothers. She was in her 80’s upon retirement.

She loved many outdoor activities including picking mayflowers (which were her favorites), hiking, and picking wild blueberries on Speckled Mountain as well as trips to the Maine coast and the NH Mountains. She took her last ride on the back of a motorcycle at age 88 and only regretted that the ride was not long enough. She was a tireless swimmer for much of her life and could actually fall asleep floating in the water,

She was married to Joseph A. Lovejoy, Sr. for nearly 48 years, he passed away in 1993. For the past 17 years she and her companion Leo Melanson kept one another young at heart.

Rachel is survived by her children Joseph, Jr. and wife Patricia, Judy Lovejoy, Joanne Lapointe and husband Yvan; grandchildren Lori Gallant and husband Chris, Lisa Koris and husband Nick, Erika Geisler and husband Chad, Kyle Lovejoy, and Shawn Lapointe and wife Kerri; honorary granddaughter Kristi Holmquist; great grandchildren Morgan Gallant, Marija and Julia Koris, Avery and Logan Geisler, and honorary great grandchildren Brooke and Jordan Holmquist; and a brother Richard Austin.

She was devoted to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to spoil them.

She was predeceased by her parents, a grandson Jason Lovejoy, and her siblings William H. Austin, Verlie Child, and Ruth Cornish.

If so desired contributions in Rachel’s memory may be made to the Charity of One’s Choice.