Obituary of Ruth Ellen Comeau

Ruth Ellen Comeau 1946-2018 LITCHFIELD – Ruth Ellen Comeau, 71, of Litchfield, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, May 9, at The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice in Auburn, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was born November 10, 1946, in St. Petersburg, Fla., one of triplet daughters born to the late Joseph Napoleon L’Heureux and late Virginia Mae (Dudley) Workman L’Heureux. In 1948, Ruth’s family moved from Florida to Livermore Falls, where she attended St. Rose of Lima elementary school. She completed her education in Lewiston at St. Joseph Middle School and Lewiston High School. Ruth met her beloved husband Normand Ernest Comeau in 1965 when both were working for Knapp Shoe Inc. in Lewiston. She got his attention when she and a coworker made a prank call to him, and kept it ever after. Ruth’s career outside the home included work as an office assistant to an accountant and more than 15 years’ service with Walmart, where coworkers and customers alike relied on her cheerful disposition, strong work ethic, and encyclopedic product knowledge. However, her chief occupation and passion was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt. To all those she loved she was always ready with a listening ear, an honest viewpoint, a generous gift, and a sign of affection. She uncomplainingly sacrificed for those near her and she faithfully remembered those far away with a card for their birthday or other milestone event. Ruth and Norm designed and built the home they lived in during their retirement. She loved decorating and landscaping it and keeping it pristine. She busied herself constantly yet unhurriedly with housekeeping and projects that made her house a home, tackling dirty and creative tasks alike with zeal. She required of herself a job well done, and her home, which was always both sparkling and comfortable, was proof of her accomplishment. Forever the welcoming and attentive hostess, she happily received company and entertained visitors in the haven she and Norm had created. As much as she doted on the people in her life, she lavished no less affection on her pets, the flowers in her garden and the birds that visited there. Although Ruth enjoyed working hard, she knew how to relax. Among her favorite activities were leisurely walks and talks, fishing, camping trips into Acadia National Park and summer family reunions that could span a week or more. There actually wasn’t anything in life she didn’t give herself to fully. She could rough it with the toughest, and then turn herself out as the most elegant and engaging presence at a festive event. Even in the last year of her life, after she was told she was in the end stages of her disease, Ruth remained busy, cheerful, uncomplaining, and focused on those around her, embracing wholeheartedly the opportunities and beauties each new day brought and living life to the fullest. Ruth will be remembered as a warm, generous and compassionate woman with a keen sense of justice and an equally keen sense of humor, who counted her blessings and made a point of helping others appreciate theirs. In addition to her husband, she is survived by: a son, Normand Ernest Comeau, Jr. and partner Sally Anne Davis of Litchfield; two grandsons, Travis Steven Comeau of Litchfield and Daniel Davis Comeau; two step-granddaughters, Hannah Shea Davis and Maranda Leigh Kenney; and one great-grandson, Ryot Scott Comeau. She is survived also by her eleven siblings: four brothers, Laurent Paul L’Heureux of Tampa, Fla., André Arthur L’Heureux and wife Susan of Alexandria, Va., Daniel Joseph L’Heureux and wife June of Waterville, and William Thomas L’Heureux and wife Wanda of Waterville; three sisters, Barbara Jean L’Heureux Rowe of Okeechobee, Fla., Carolyn Joy L’Heureux Mickler and husband Lyn of Lake Placid, Fla., and Christine Louise L’Heureux Folk of Holiday, Fla.; one half-brother Kenneth Earl Workman and wife Deborah of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; two half-sisters, Sunny Jean L’Heureux of Clover, S.C., and Bunny Sue L’Heureux of Belleair, Fla.; one adoptive brother, Donald Frank L’Heureux of St. Augustine, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. There will be no public memorial service. Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in Ruth’s memory to The Hospice House either by mail c/o Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240 or via https://androscoggin.org/donate/.