AUGUSTA, MAINE
Patricia B. Laflamme Gilbert, age 84, died Friday, June 15, 2018 at her home, surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness. She was born in Augusta, ME on March 10, 1934 a daughter of the late Ludger and Virginia (Bonenfant) Bonsant.
Pat was a graduate of Cony High School, salutatorian of the class of 1952, was a communicant of St. Augustine Catholic Church and a member of the Ladies of St. Anne.
She had been employed at the Veterans Administration at Togus, retiring after 33 years of service. She married her high school sweetheart, Norman Laflamme, in 1954 and they enjoyed 46 years together until Norman’s death in 2000. They raised three children together whom Pat stayed home with for ten years before returning to her career at the Veterans Administration. She held various positions at the VA, starting as a clerk and progressing to a Transcription Unit Supervisor, then a Loan Officer in the Loan Guaranty Division, and ending her career as a Claims Examiner. She received numerous Performance Awards throughout her career. Pat worked very hard to balance a career along with taking care of her family at a time when women weren’t necessarily encouraged to do so, which served as an example of self-belief and dedication for her grandchildren.
During her retirement she volunteered at MaineGeneral Medical Center and St Augustine School. She taught herself to knit and crochet, as well as learned to play golf. However, what brought “Mem”-as they call her, short for “Memere”- most joy during her retirement was spending time with her grandchildren, attending all their special events and taking all seven of them together on special outings every school vacation week. Her goal was to foster strong family ties between them and we’re sure she succeeded.
Pat lead by example. She taught her family to have faith in God, value family, be accepting and forgiving of others, and the true meaning of unconditional love. Nothing was more precious to her than to have her whole family together at her home or the family camp.
Pat was pre-deceased by her first husband, Norman Laflamme, infant son Gerard and her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Gilbert of Augusta; two sons: William N. Laflamme and his wife Terry of Sidney and James J. Laflamme and his wife Elisa of Winthrop; a daughter, Marguerite A. "Peggy" Trahan and her husband Ron of Gardiner; seven grandchildren: Kailie Sullivan and husband Mike, Jillian Laflamme, Lindsay Laflamme, Kristin Guerette and husband Bennett, Colby Laflamme, Mary Trahan and Michael Trahan; three great grandchildren: Isabel and Ryan Guerette and Declan Sullivan and several nieces, nephews.
Relatives and friends may visit on Tuesday, June 19th from 6-8 PM at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta where members of the Ladies of St. Anne are asked to meet at 6 PM to recite prayers for their departed member. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 20th at 11 AM at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Northern Ave., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Rd., Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat's memory may be made to: St. Jude's Children's Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38101.