Anita E. Lavigne, formerly of 5th Avenue, Berlin and Ripple Cove Rd in Island Pond, VT, passed away on Thursday April 13th at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital here in Berlin, surrounded by her entire family. She was born in Berlin on August 14th, 1936 the daughter of Rose Emma (Robert) Lavoie and Aime John Lavoie. Anita and her husband Bob have lived in numerous places throughout their 63 years of marriage including Milford, NJ, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, Island Pond, VT, Groveton, NH and Berlin, NH. No matter where Anita has gone, she has been involved in music and singing in every church along the way. Her last church ministry was as co-director, with her daughter Patti, for the Good Shepherd Parish Children’s Choir here in Berlin for the last 15 years. These children were such a joy in her life. You very seldom saw Anita without her daughter and best friend, Patti. Anita and Patti have sung all over the state at Festivals, private functions and in numerous churches. Anita and Patti sang for the Deaconate Mass for Rev. Richard Dion of Berlin and were also asked to sing French music at Reverend Dion’s Ordination for priesthood at the Cathedral in Manchester, NH. Anita also enjoyed going to Casinos with her husband and many special friends on bus trips. She and her husband enjoyed very much their 2 beautiful cottages on Island Pond in Vermont, both built by Bob.
Anita is survived by her three children, Patti Berube and husband Larry of Berlin, Patrick Lavigne and wife Lisa of Goffstown, NH and Dennis Lavigne and companion Hope Powers of Island Pond, VT. Other family members include 6 grandchildren Danielle, Christopher, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Keesha and Jamie Lavigne; step grandchildren Melissa Frenette and Tammy Berthiaume of Berlin and Brian Berube of Manchester, NH. Also, Kaitlyn and Megan Savage of Goffstown, NH. Great grandchildren Evan and Eli Lavigne, Louisia Lurvey & Kaylynn and Kadison Humphrey and a sister Alice Renaud of Berlin.
She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Robert Lavigne, in January of 2015 and her eldest son, Rene Lavigne, who was killed in a construction accident in the fall of 2004 in Saxtons Falls, VT. She is also predeceased by her brothers Donald, Raymond, Aime and Robert Lavoie and one sister, Lucille Pepin, all of Berlin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 18th at 10:00 AM at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave, Berlin, on Monday afternoon and evening from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Online guestbook at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.