Roberta A. Dumont Obituary (1933 - 2015)

Roberta Ann Dumont ne Dionne died quietly Monday evening, November 30th, surrounded by her loving family. What is the measure of a life? Roberta "Robbie" was born at her small home in Waterville December 28, 1933, the third daughter of Adele Dionne ne Fagan and Augustin Dionne. It was in that small house that she and her five siblings grew and thrived. Robbie was a joyful and precocious child whose early success in school led her to skip a grade at parochial school. Yet her early family life also experienced tragedy when her father "Gus" passed away when Robbie was still a young woman. Throughout her young life Robbie saw to the well-being of her younger siblings and especially her energetic brothers and while the entire family remained close, some of her fondest memories in her later years were of these impish boys. A lifelong resident of the Waterville area, Robbie graduated from Waterville High School in 1949, she nevertheless maintained broad horizons and taught her children to be citizens of the world. She later attended Thomas Business College where she was the youngest female in many of her classes. She would marvel at the rough and tumble antics of the much older and worldly returning WWII veterans who were her classmates. Yet, she held her own with this older crowd and no doubt charmed not a few of them. She then worked briefly in the offices at Keyes Fiber Company. Like many women of her generation, Robbie left the workforce at the time of her marriage. Robbie married in 1956, a handsome and clever college graduate, Joseph E. Dumont and together they spent the next fifty-nine years creating a marriage that remains an exemplar to all who know and love them. After the births of three children, Robbie and Joe built with love and sweat the family homestead in Winslow. It was here that Robbie raised her boisterous brood of six children and it was here that her equally boisterous and larger brood of fourteen grandchildren often returned in celebration and exuberance. One of Robbie's greatest joys in life was her children and grandchildren. She found delight in all children! Although Robbie assumed the traditional role of a conventional homemaker, she refused the limitations that role of the 1950's imposed upon women of her generation. As a model to her daughters and son, Robbie conveyed that women were no less capable than men and should not accept any limits to their aspirations. As a result all of Robbie's children, son and daughters, became accomplished professionals in their various occupations. When her children entered school, Robbie herself returned to the workforce as a competent and valued bookkeeper for the L.N. Violette Company until her retirement. But perhaps the greatest measure of Robbie's life is found in the love, hope and courage that she lived in the twilight of her later years. Her memory dimmed, but she never lost her joie de vivre. Robbie was always quick with a laugh, and maintained her sassy wit. Her devotion to her children the love, the care, the sacrifice and infinite generosity was returned to her as they honored her desire to remain in the home throughout the duration of her illness. The measure of a life is love. Robbie is predeceased by her beloved father Augustin J. Dionne, her beloved mother M. Adele Dionne ne Fagan and her dear sister M. Geraldine Quirion ne Dionne. Robbie's surviving siblings are: M. Stella Pelletier ne Dionne of Belfast, Maine; Joseph James Dionne and his wife Nancy of Hartford, CT; M. Joan Gurney ne Dionne and her husband Gene of Portsmouth, NH; Joseph Raymond Dionne and his wife Mary of Winslow, Maine. Robbie is survived by her loving husband of fifty-nine years, Joseph E. Dumont of Winslow, Maine. Her Children: A son Andrew J. Dumont and his wife Rochelle of Skowhegan, Maine; and daughters: Margaret M. Williams ne Dumont and husband John Williams of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire; Kathryn E. Spofford ne Dumont and husband Daniel Spofford of Waterville, Maine; Sarah A. Ledoux ne Dumont and husband Eric Ledoux of Winslow, Maine; Elizabeth F. Granholm ne Dumont and husband James Eric Granholm of Oakland, Maine; and Emily J. Vaillancourt ne Dumont and husband David Vaillancourt of Winslow, Maine. Her Grandchildren: Natalie and Sebastien Dumont; Skye Williams; Joseph, Joshua, Noah and Isaiah Spofford; Rene and Jason Ledoux; Hannah, Sally and Mary Granholm; Benjamin and Mattie Vaillancourt. Numerous and much loved nieces and nephews. The family expresses its deep gratitude to the staff of 1 West at Maine General Medical Center for their compassionate care provided to both our mom in her last days and our dad during this most difficult time in his life. To our dear caregivers, Cheryl, Deb, Elaine, and Marie, who cared for mom at home as if she were their own. We are forever indebted to you. We especially want to thank Dr. David Preston and Debbie Hutchins RN who provided decades of wonderful care and support. Know that your kindness will always remain in our hearts and that you will be fondly remembered as members of our family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 28, 2015 at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. Burial will in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to one of the following: The Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, The Home for Little Wanderers, or Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area.