Obituary of Joan Soucie

Joan (Albert) Soucie, 91, passed away December 2, 2020 in Bangor. She was born and raised in Eagle Lake, Maine, the daughter of Alvin and Anne (Madore) Albert. After working in Hartford, CT for several years, she returned to Maine, married Norman in 1947, started their family in Eagle Lake, then later moved to Milo for several years, and has been a resident of Bangor since 1967. 

Joan was a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) with Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degrees in Education. She served as a teacher for three years in Ashland, then two years in Milo as a teaching principal, and 22 years as a teacher in Hermon, all while managing the household and raising a family of five. Throughout her teaching career, Joan dedicated herself to helping children learn and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. She took great pride in creating elaborate bulletin boards and other visual displays to capture the attention of her students and stimulate the learning process.

Joan loved sewing, was an accomplished seamstress, and made almost all her own clothes during her teaching days. She not only made her oldest daughter’s wedding gown, but also made gowns for each member of the entire wedding party! She spent countless hours embellishing another daughter’s wedding gown by hand, sewing miniature pearls into every teardrop lace opening in the trim, hundreds of them. She made one daughter’s entire wardrobe for her first year of teaching since there was no money to spend on clothes at that time. She was also an avid quilter, making quilts for all her children and grandchildren and made countless mittens, hats and stuffed animals to give as gifts.  She enjoyed cooking for and being with her family, doing word puzzles and games of every kind, and in her retirement prime, soundly beating all her friends in golf and bridge! Among her golfing accomplishments, she once won the Bangor Ladies League Golf Tournament. Her proudest accomplishment was seeing all five of her children earn Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Maine, with most going on to earn Master’s Degrees as well.

Special and heartfelt thanks to the Winterberry Heights staff and the team from Visiting Angels for helping her through the difficulties of the last year. Everyone admired Joan for maintaining her wit and sense of humor throughout life’s journey.

She was predeceased by Norman, her husband of 66 years, and her daughter Sheila, both in 2013. She is survived by daughters Madeline Decker and husband Jim, and Mona Iwaszko and husband Bob; two sons E. James Soucie and wife Sue, and Keith Soucie and wife Kathy. Her legacy includes 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Consistent with her wishes, there will be no funeral services. A family celebration of her life will take place next year when everyone can once again get together. Interment will be at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta with her beloved husband.

Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor.  Messages and memories may be shared with the family at kileyandfoley.com