FORT KENT- Emelda Dubois, 102, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024, at a health care facility.  She was born in Fort Kent, Maine, on June 6, 1921, the eighth of thirteen children of Thomas and Marie (Fongemie) Michaud.

She was married to Walter Dubois on June 6, 1939.  Emelda was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years and her parents. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Edna, Regina, Joe, Lewis, Leanna, Delina, Rosa, Laura, Lenora, Emile, Verna, and Edwina.

She is survived by her five children, Theresa (Roger-deceased) Bonenfant from Fort Kent, Joella (Emile) Daigle from Frenchville, Arnold (Jenny) Dubois from Fort Kent, Reynold (Lorraine) Dubois from Hermon, and Gail (Bruce) Desjardins from Wallagrass; and sister-in-law, Bernice Michaud from Farmington, CT. She will also be missed by her twelve grandchildren, Robert & Lloyd Bonenfant, Debbie (Bonenfant) Pelletier, Donna (Daigle) Bouchard, Karen (Daigle) Bourgoin, Ricky Daigle, Kim (Dubois) Pelletier, Amy (Dubois) Levesque, Scott Dubois, and Chad, Troy & Cory Desjardins, in addition to her  twenty-two great grandchildren, Sherrie Pelletier, Dori Gayne,  Robby Bonenfant, Karee Thibeault, Derek Bonenfant, Shane & Trevor Bouchard, Eric Bourgoin, Dillion & Ashley Daigle, Devin & Daxton Lagasse, Kenan Ayotte, Ian & Lexi Levesque, Jake & Izzy Dubois, Haley Desjardins, Jemma Desjardins, Jackson Dube, and Kensley & Tatum Desjardins. Emelda was blessed with ten great great-grandchildren, Kylie & Ryan Pelletier, Axton Gayne, Nila & Oakley Bonenfant, Abigail Thibeault, Everett Bonenfant, Autumn Bourgoin, Emmett Lagasse, and Karson Ayotte. Her greatest joy was to see her precious "petit enfants."  Her visits from them would bring many smiles to her face!

Emelda grew up in Fort Kent on a potato farm, where she learned her strong work ethic.  After her marriage to Walter, they raised their family in Fort Kent and worked on their dairy farm seven days a week!  In her spare time, she spent many hours knitting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, and reading.  Her love for her family kept her alive for 102 years! She was a positive role model to all who knew her!

Emelda was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne, Senior Citizens' Club, and actively participated in many of their functions in addition to folding bulletins and singing for the St. Louis Church Choir.  During her retirement years, she kept herself busy going to Senior Exercise and volunteering at NMMC and Good Shepherd Shop for many years. Spending time with her family was her favorite hobby!  Emelda's quiet nature was admired by many people, especially at Crosswinds and Forest Hill, where she was cared for during the last several years.  Thank you for the excellent care she received at both of these facilities!  She was loved and respected by many people!

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 20, 2024, at St. Louis Church, Fort Kent.  Relatives and friends may greet the family from 8:30 to 9:30 am Saturday morning at Lajoie-Daigle Funeral Home, 14 East Main St., Fort Kent. Spring burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may donate to the Senior Citizen's Center, 20 Pine Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743 or Good Shepherd Shop, 214 West Main Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743.