Obituary: Loreta E. Provencher

January 26, 1925 – June 2, 2022

Loreta E. Provencher, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Berwick Estates in South Berwick.

She was born on January 26, 1925 to Frank and Viola (Ridlon) Merrifield in Sanford where she grew up and attended local schools, graduating from Sanford High School in 1944.

On July 28, 1944 She married Emile Provencher in Fayette, North Carolina and together they shared 62 years of marriage. Her husband came from a family of 13 siblings, so she had many sisters-in-law,  brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Loreta raised her family in Springvale and attended Notre Dame Church. During her working life, she was employed at the Sanford Mills and Sprague Electric for 10 years.

She enjoyed tending a large garden each summer and sold fresh vegetables and raspberries at a roadside stand.

After retirement, Loreta traveled across the country and stayed for some time in California and resided in Florida for several years before returning to Maine.

Loreta is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister Arlene Brown, brothers William Holland, Bernard Ridlon, and Dana Merrifield, and a son Michel Provencher.

Survivors include a son Raymond Provencher and his wife Joyce, granddaughter Jessica Provencher, grandsons Matthew Provencher and his wife Kerrie, and Michel Provencher and his wife Lori and great grandchildren Elizabeth, Taylor, Emily, Tanner, Dante, Maison, Kenleigh Rae, Miles and Kadence.

Visitation was held on Friday, June 10th from 11:30 to 12:30 with a memorial service following at 12:30 at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale with interment Immediately following at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale.

The family would like to thank the staff at Berwick Estates and Wentworth Hospice for the excellent care and compassion shown to Loreta.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

To leave a message of condolence, visit blackfuneralhomes.com.