Irene Carmen Hemond Patry, age 87, passed away in Bangor, Maine with her loving daughter by her side. An adored mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched. She will be remembered for her positive outlook, persevering nature, kindness, generosity, "joie de vivre," and her abiding love of family. Born September 14, 1923 in Lewiston, Irene was the daughter of Alphonse and Rose Anne (Plante) Hemond. The middle child of a French Canadian family of seven children, she developed a strong work ethic at a very young age while working on the family farm in Minot. On September 3, 1951, Irene married Adrien R. Patry at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, where she has remained a life-long member. A resident of Auburn for 54 years, she left in 2007 to move closer to her daughter. She passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Westgate Manor as a result of complications associated with Alzheimer's. During her early years, Irene attended Sacred Heart Boarding School in Jackman and the Ave Maria Academy in Sabattus. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1942 and from Acme Business College in 1943. Her first secretarial job was at Personal Finance Co. in Lewiston. Irene was also employed by the Maine Employment Security Commission and the United Fund before completing 25 years of service at Beneficial Finance in 1976. She finished her working career as a part-time bookkeeper for Marcotte Furniture World. Irene was a real people-person, enjoying office camaraderie and her service to the public. As a resident of Minot, Irene was a member of the Minot Center Grange #266. She served as Grange Master from 1944-46 and earned the highest level of membership, the Seventh Degree of the National Grange. Her commitment to seeds and soil continued throughout life by her involvement with the UM Cooperative Extension and the growing of her own flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Irene spent many hours working in her gardens and took great pride in harvesting, canning, freezing, preserving, and giving away her crops to all who stopped by. She also enjoyed sewing, caring for her home, vacationing with her family aboard the Chinook, trips to the Caribbean with her beloved sisters, weekends with her daughter at the Burnt Island Lighthouse, and spoiling her two children and six grandchildren. Irene is survived by her son Roger and his wife Peggy of Ephrata, WA; her daughter Elaine and her husband Jeremy Jones of Hampden, ME; six grandchildren Andrew, Edwin, and Megan Patry; Tamara, Gregory and Benjamin Jones; and one great-grandchild Sarah Patry. Irene is also survived by her sister Theresa Patry, her brother Andre Hemond, and 34 nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her husband Adrien, her brothers John, Roland, and George Hemond, and her sister Rita Ojala Bertram. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Patry family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Patry, Irene H. 11/17/10. Visitation will be at the Fortin Group, Turner St. in Auburn on Sunday 6-8 PM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Monday at 10 AM at Sacred Heart Church, Auburn. Family & friends are invited to go directly to the church for her funeral Mass at 10 AM on Monday. Committal St. Peter's Cemetery. Those wishing to make donations for a special flower garden in Irene's memory they may do so to the Burnt Island Lighthouse, PO Box 8, W. Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575. A service of The Fortin Group / Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 217