Grand Isle/Madawaska---Victorine Ringuette Dionne, 91, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025, at Northern Maine Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born on December 12, 1933, in Rivière Verte, New Brunswick, Canada, she was the daughter of Levite and Anna (Dupèré) Ringuette. Victorine began her life's work as an educator at the remarkably young age of 17, hardly discernable from the middle school students she was teaching in Ste-Anne, New Brunswick, then in Arvida, Quebec, until she married Louis Philip Dionne Jr. in 1955. Together, they dedicated themselves to raising their children, running a farm, and pursuing their creative energies until his passing on December 31, 2001.  In the late 1960s to early 1970s, when her youngest entered school, Victorine also returned to school, earning degrees in fine arts and education from l' Université de Moncton, Edmundston New Brunswick and culminating with a Masters degree from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Victorine was instrumental in developing the visual arts program at the newly constructed Polyvalente Cité des Jeunes high school in Edmundston N.B., teaching at the high school until her partial retirement in 1996, followed by teaching part-time at l'Université de Moncton for several years.  Victorine was described by medical personnel as a "vibrant senior." Energetic and physically active well into her mid-80s, she embraced life with originality, zest, and an unyielding passion for living fully. She was an original—deeply passionate about learning and sharing knowledge, engaging in activities as diverse as flying airplanes as a licensed pilot, woodworking, welding, and creating stained glass projects alongside her husband. Her creative talents extended into gardening, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and quilting, through which she found joy and purpose. A great cook, the large family dinners are well remembered, and her family would say she made the best ployes from scratch.  After fully retiring, Victorine embraced travel, embarking on cruises and even circumnavigating the globe, cultivating friendships and expanding her world along the way. She was also an avid reader and closely followed political affairs around the globe.  A proud community member, Victorine was instrumental in creating les Grosses Têtes—large papier-mâché heads used in local parades—and taught courses on their construction. Victorine was an active member of Les Dames de Ste-Anne of Grand Isle and la Société des Enseignants Retraités Francophones du N.B. (SERFNB).  Victorine is survived by her five children: Pierre (Lesa) of Olean, NY; Daniel (Rita) of Grand Isle; Marcel (Laura) of Palmer, AK; Gisèle of Madawaska; and Brigitte Giordano (Mark) of Hampden. She leaves behind twelve beloved grandchildren—Nicole, Phillip, Christy, Jill, Daniel, Thomas, Ian, André, Dominic, Abrielle Dionne, and Grégoire and Anna Sophie Faucher; and many great grandchildren, each of whom she cherished and celebrated.  She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, an infant son, Grégoire, and all 11 of her siblings: Edwin (Enouil, Alice), Mélina Bérubé (Ronald), Annette Hébert (Napoléon), Arsène (Lorette), Claire Lynch (John), Esther LaFrance (Nil), Adelard (Marie May), Adrien (Denise), Marie-Anne Cloutier (Armand), Eugène (Candide), and Joseph.  The family extends heartfelt thanks to NMMC, Dr. Harris, and the dedicated medical staff for their exceptional care as well as to nieces Adeleen and Mary Anne, whose many visits and years of support were deeply appreciated by the family.  Victorine's life was a masterpiece of compassion, curiosity, and creativity. Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched, the art she inspired, and the family she so dearly loved. She lived with heart, gave with generosity, and loved without measure.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at St. Gerard Church in Grand Isle, officiated by Reverend James Plourde. Friends and family may visit Lajoie Funeral Home on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Victorine's memory to a charity of choice.