Elaine B. Pinette

March 15, 1937 - August 23, 2015

Elaine Barbara Pinette, born March 15, 1937 passed away August 23 at Androscoggin Hospice House surrounded by her loving family after courageously battling cancer for two years. She was the daughter of Forrest and Helen (Barnes) Potter. Elaine attended Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School with the class of 1954 and was a member of the Beta Alpha Gamma Sorority. She married the love of her life, soul mate, and best friend Bruce Pinette on November 26, 1955. Together they raised their three children June, Michael, and Jon. Although she answered to Elaine, she was most affectionately known as Nin not only by her family but by her cherished extended family and friends too. Elaine worked as a long distance operator for AT&T (formerly New England Telephone) prior to having her children, took respite to be home with them, then resumed her position until her retirement in 1990. She had been active in her church as part of the Calvary United Women's Group and continued on the committee to organize and even host her high school reunions. She still lunched with her sorority sisters regularly. While in high school she was a cheerleader and later carried on that cheering tradition as the number one fan at her sons' athletic events as well as her daughter's dance recitals and baton competitions. This passion extended to this day by attending her three grandson's sporting events. Although football was her favorite, she was an ever present icon at events from football to karate, track, skiing, hockey, soccer, baseball lacrosse, bowling, and most recently even her grandsons' men's softball and hockey games. In earlier days her grandsons recall her huge cowbell resounding loudly as affirmation that Nin was there! She was also surrogate mom to many of the boys on the Midget hockey team with son Jon, organized and coached by Bruce while on their many bus trips to Canada. Elaine loved to travel. In addition to her many trips throughout the country for karate and bowling competitions, she enjoyed Caribbean cruises, Caribbean island resort destinations, Hawaii, Mexico, and a cross country road trip visiting important US landmarks. She, along with Bruce, was also a gracious hostess of several family Florida vacations that included Disney World, Sea World, Bush Gardens, and more. On one particular family vacation she became affectionately known for her Grammy and Two Golden Globes. Her family was her passion but Elaine also loved her garage saling where she would find as many treasures for others as she would for herself. She enjoyed shopping at Kohl's, going out to eat, taking care of her ubiquitous plants, hot humid days taking a dip in her pool, hosting parties under her tent by the pool, reading, crossword puzzles, solitaire, and life. Elaine was always thinking of others with her kind words and gestures. She put a positive spin on life and always said, "When you get lemons, make lemonade." The family would like to extend thanks to Dr Michael Bergeron and staff, Dr Pandey and staff, as well as, although briefly, The Androscoggin Home Health, Hospice, and Hospice House staff for their excellent and compassionate care. A special thank you to sister-in-law Barbara Caron for being at her side each day while she was still at home. Elaine is survived by her husband Bruce, daughter June and husband Robert Richard of Lewiston, son Michael of Greene, son Jon and wife Sue Smart of Portland, grandsons Christopher Richard and wife Amy of Hebron, Nicholaus Richard and wife Jessica of Lewiston, Tyler Richard and partner Kaitlyn Defilipp of Cape Elizabeth, great- granddaughter Olivia Mae, great-grandson Gavin Zenon, sisters-in-law Barbara (Pinette) Caron, Diane (Pinette) Prock, Susan (Pinette) Leeman and husband David, several nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her mother Helen, father Forrest, brother Thomas, and sister Charlene. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com . NOTICE Pinette- Died in Auburn on Sunday August 23, 2015. Mrs. Elaine B. of Greene. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 PM at the Calvary Methodist Church corner of College and Sabattus Streets. Burial will be private. Those wishing may make donations in Elaine’s memory to the Dempsey Center 29 Lowell Street Lewiston, Maine 04240. Visitation will held on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway, Lewiston 784-4023.