Van Buren & Madawaska- Marie May (Chasse) Vaillancourt 92 passed away peacefully on Sept 26, 2021. She was born in St. David, ME on April 25, 1929, the daughter of the late Joseph and Wellena (Gervais) Chasse. Marie married Hermel Vaillancourt on July 31, 1951, and they moved to Van Buren which became her home for the next 62 years.

Marie was an active member of her community and church; participating in and volunteering for the various organizations and causes. In her earlier years she enjoyed being a member of local bowling leagues. Marie was a lifelong member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Van Buren Lionettes, and the Red Hat Society. Her strong work ethic was evident in her employment within food service for Van Buren School District. Marie also worked as a librarian aide at the Public Library; a job she dearly loved, in addition to ballot and office clerk for the Van Buren Town Office.

Marie was a skilled cook; and frequently hosted family events at the family Long Lake Camp creating memories for the future.  She demonstrated her crocheting skills taught to her by her mother and created a collection of mittens, scarves and slippers for her children/grandchildren.  Her four children were proud recipients of a homemade afghan for college. Marie dearly loved to play card games and enjoyed many lively games of Skip Bo with her grandchildren. Additional special interests included playing horseshoes with her family members and playing the guitar, keyboard, and organ. She was an avid fisherwoman and enjoyed the success of reeling a fish in. Her sense of style and love of color was evident in her up to date fashions and home decorating. She always looked her best and kept her home/flower gardens in immaculate shape. Marie's faith and resiliency provided her with the inner strength to meet the challenges placed within her life's journey. Her joie de vivre was evident in her pleasure with visiting family and friends, travel, and being a part of group activities. Marie had a great sense of humor with an innate ability to be funny without trying.  This ability drew family and friends to her; often enabling her to be the center of the party.

Marie is survived by her four children; Linda (Lalo) Ponce of St Charles, IL; Brian (Mananya) Vaillancourt of Kearneysville, WV; Donna (Stuart) Colbath of Orono, ME; and Brenda (Larry) Blaisdell of Scarborough, ME. Additional blessings were her grandchildren Wesley Colbath and fiancé Janelle of San Diego, CA; Logan Ponce of Las Vegas, NV;  Lindsey (Daryl) Watson of Hampden, ME; Lauren (Garrett) Alofs of Scarborough, ME; Jonathan Blaisdell of Portland, ME; Matthew Blaisdell of Scarborough, ME; and Monique Vaillancourt of Kearneysville, WV.  Great grandchildren include Chloe and Callie Watson of Hampden, ME; and Donovan Alofs of Scarborough, ME.

Marie was fortunate to be a part of a loving and supportive family; and is also survived by brothers, Gerald (Maryann) Chasse of Hamlin, ME; Ronald (Denise) Chasse/Beaulieu of Temiscouata Sur-Le-Lac, QC; sisters, Martha (Roger) Lavertu and Nancy (Richard) Corbin of Madawaska, and Anne (Terry) Blaylock of Hot Springs, AR. The legacy of the Chasse family also lives on in the lives of many special nieces and nephews.

Marie was predeceased by her husband Hermel in 1990, brothers Edward (Bee) Chasse, Lionel and Norman Chasse of Madawaska, ME; sisters, Priscilla Lavertu of St. David, ME; and Omerine Cyr of Caribou, ME; and brother-in-law Richard Corbin of Madawaska, ME.

Marie's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Ridgewood Estates for the wonderful, skilled, and compassionate care given to Marie during her time there.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, November 26, 2021, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Main St., Van Buren. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In Marie's memory and honor, a granite bench will be placed at Mizpah (religious sanctuary) in Grand Isle, ME. Memorial fund donations can be made to Linda Ponce (for The Marie Vaillancourt Memorial Fund) PO Box 1152, St. Charles, IL 60175. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren.