Van Buren--- Rena Ouellette Daigle, 85, peacefully entered into Eternal Life on July 27, 2023. She was born October 21, 1937 in St. Anne, NB, Canada, the eldest daughter of twelve born of the late Albert and Regina (Roussell) Ruest, and was a graduate of University of Maine – Presque Isle.

Besides her parents, Rena was predeceased by her first husband, Elio Ouellette in 1989, two children Steven and Gail Ouellette, who died much too early in their young lives. She was also predeceased by her second husband, Wilfred Daigle in 2018, and several siblings.

She is survived by two daughters, Lesa Dionne and her husband Pierre of Olean, NY, and Gina Gulasky and her husband Bill of Benton; six siblings, Velma Boudreau, Benoit Ruest and his wife Lise, Hermel Ruest and his wife Rachelle, Therese Dutil, Gisele Bickford and her husband Jim, and Diane St. Amand and her husband Wayne; five grandchildren, Montana, Taylor and Billy Gulasky, Nicole and Phillip Dionne; two great grandchildren, Simone and Ella; and many nieces and nephews.

Rena was a gifted cook and cherished being able to provide for her family.  She loved children and was a teacher's aide with Hamlin Head Start for over 30 years. A former student fondly remembered her as "Every morning, my Mom would give me a big hug when getting on the bus to school and my second mother gave me a big hug when I got to school… That was Mrs. Ouellette!"

She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, where she was also one of the founding volunteers of the parish's Mercy Meal Committee, providing meals for funeral attendees for many years, and a member of the St. Bruno Choir. She was also a life member of the Columbiettes and the Red Hats.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Van Buren. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rena's name may be made to: Parish Needs, c/o Knights of Columbus, 284 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren.