Pauline Lefebvre

Bangor - Pauline Mary (Bernard) Lefebvre, 88, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family in Bangor, Maine. She was born in Rumford, Maine on May 21,1935, the daughter of Dona and Odila (Bourgeois) Bernard. Pauline grew up in Mexico, Maine and was a 1954 graduate of Mexico High School.

Shortly after graduation, Pauline ventured to Boston, MA and worked as a clerk for John Hancock Insurance. She remained in Boston until John Lefebvre, fresh out of United States Air Force boot camp, hitchhiked to Boston and asked for her hand in marriage. Pauline and John were married at St. Theresa’s Church in Mexico, Maine on February 6, 1956. Shortly after their wedding, Pauline joined her husband in England where he was serving a two and a half year tour with the U.S. Air Force. When they came back to the U.S., they lived for a period of time in Bangor, Maine, Rumford, Maine, and Portland, Maine before permanently settling in Bangor in 1967.

Pauline held various jobs as a medical secretary, including ward secretary at St. Joseph Hospital emergency room. Later, she became a hairdresser and then ended her working career by running a daycare for children.

Pauline was a devoted wife and loving mother to five children. Raising her children was her number one priority and according to her, her most treasured accomplishment.

Pauline was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great- grandmother, aunt, and friend, and will be greatly missed by everyone who has had the opportunity to have known her. Her loving nature, filled with kindness, understanding, and wisdom, was a key component of her personality. Pauline could make friends no matter the situation. She had a great sense of humor and laughed easily.

Curious by nature, Pauline was a lifelong learner taking many classes and courses including various enrichment classes, real estate, cosmetology, and CNA. Through the years, she was a member of the Junior League, organizations that supported businesses, and volunteered at the Westgate Center for Rehabilitation & Alzheimer. She loved the ocean, reading, traveling, her dear friends, and most of all, family gatherings. Pauline was entirely devoted to her family, and centered her life around them. She was always fully supportive and loving of their lives.

Pauline is survived by her brother William Bernard (Betty) of Farmington, ME; three daughters Debbie Brady (Sean) of Huntington Bay, NY, Linda Hafford (Paul) of North Berwick, ME, Donna Power(Brad) of Bangor, ME: two sons John Lefebvre (Laura) of Groton, MA, Raymond Lefebvre (Christine Gomes) of Salem, MA; fourteen grandchildren Sean Brady Jr.(Kianna Freitag) of Centerport, NY, Meghan Dipisa (Matt), Patrick Brady of New York, NY, Benjamin Hafford (Stephanie Ryu) of Auburn, NH, Andrea Hafford (Matt Amann) of North Berwick, ME, Ryan Hafford (Samantha) of West Columbia, SC, Rachelle McGrew of New Bern, NC, Jonathan Ingraham (Jessica) of Bangor, ME, Christopher Ingraham (Liza) of Portland, ME, Ryan Power (Kelsey) of Bangor, ME, Katelyn O’Neill (Josh) of Exeter, ME, Derek Lefebvre of Boston, MA, Ashley Lefebvre of Reading, MA, Chantel Lefebvre of Reading, MA ; six great- grandchildren Emily McGrew of Havelock,NC, Aiden Amann of North Berwick, ME, Jackson Ingraham of Bangor, ME, Brooklyn Ingraham of Bangor, ME, Thomas O’Neill of Exeter, ME, and Kellan Power of Bangor, ME.

Pauline was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, John Wilson Lefebvre; her brother, James Bernard; two sister-in-laws, Barbara Jean Richard and Donna Bernard, and her parents.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, 133 Center Street, Bangor, Maine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am Thursday, July 20, 2023 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York Street, Bangor, Maine, followed by the Rite of Committal in Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery on Ohio Street in Bangor.

Family and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor immediately following the Mass.