Photo left to right: Ben Goupille, grandson, Lisa Goupille, daughter, Christine Goupille, granddaughter holding great grandson
Fort Kent ~ Theresa Violette, 91 year old resident of Forest Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, was a 2017 nominee to the Maine Health Care Association’s (MCHA) Remember ME program. Mrs. Violette and her family received notification in April that she had been selected to receive the Honorable Lifetime Achievement Award from the MHCA. Charlene Taggart, Forest Hill’s Activities Coordinator said, “Theresa wasn’t sure what was happening until her daughter Lisa read the award and showed her the book. In reflecting on the recognition, Theresa realized how full her life has been and how much she has accomplished thus far in her lifetime.
The Remember ME program is one of MHCA’s most popular programs. The annual event features photographs, accompanied by brief biographies of pioneering, innovative and interesting residents living in Maine long term care facilities. The judges look at each nominee’s personal story and how it is significant or how the resident has overcome adversity. Secondary to the life story, judges also measure age, gender, geography, past facility participation, and adherence to nomination criteria in making their decision.
Born and raised in Madawaska, Maine, Mrs. Violette entered the work force right after she graduated from Madawaska High School. At age 29, she married Henry Violette, who worked as a chemist for Fraser Paper. She started out as a book keeper for the St. John Construction Brick and Block Company for eleven years. She also developed blueprints for the construction of homes sold to employees of Fraser Paper Company. Afterward, she worked for nearly four years at Fraser Paper, manually counting paper. According to Mrs. Violette, her greatest career accomplishment was her work with the Acadian Crafters where she served for thirty years as the manager. The Acadian Crafters knitted and crocheted hats, socks and mittens for the LL Bean Company. Mrs. Violette also enjoyed volunteer work, delivering meals and clothing, on behalf of the Aroostook County Action Program, to families in need across the St. John Valley. Despite their busy professional careers and high level of engagement in their communities, the Violettes made time to raise seven children. The home in which the family lived for forty years is now known as the Acadian Homestead, located in Madawaska.
On April 21, Forest Hill held a celebration to honor Mrs. Violette for her lifetime achievements and acknowledgement of all the lives she touched. According to Taggart, Mrs. Violette is still talking about the celebration held in her honor and continues to ask if it was real -or but a dream. As a resident of Forest Hill, Theresa enjoys participating in all the activities; she admits her favorite event is bingo.
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