Lea Meilleur Raymond, age 91, of International Falls, Minn., died quietly in her sleep Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at her home with good friend Viola Borden at her side.
She was born Jan. 29, 1917, to pioneer parents, Ovide and Zepherine Meilleur at Fisher Branch, Manitoba.
The former Lea Meilleur was united in marriage to Theodore Dandeneau in 1938; months after their marriage, Theodore died of cancer.
Lea relocated to Fort Frances, Ontario in 1939.
She married Alder Raymond on June 8, 1940, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, International Falls. After her marriage she moved to International Falls where she had lived ever since.
She was employed at Falls Memorial Hospital as a nurses aid for 12 years before retiring in 1982.
Lea always exhibited an artistic flare; she once constructed a grandfather clock and enjoyed knitting and woodcarving.
She was an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, Tabernacle Society, and did various volunteer work around the community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, six brothers, and one sister.
She is survived by her daughters, Lucina (Bob) Phillips of International Falls, and Leanne (Paul) Patton of Manasses, Va.; son, Paul Raymond of Manasses, Va.; sisters, Delia Bernier and Eva Bernier, both of Fisher Branch, Manitoba, and Amanda Lagasse of St. Adolph, Manitoba; brothers, Alcide Meilleur of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Auray Meilleur of Fisher Branch, Manitoba. She is also survived by nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Interment will be at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery.
If so desired, in memoriam donations would be preferred to St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.