Hope A. Lacourciere

LACOURCIERE, Hope A., 86, Dover-Foxcroft, June 17, 2015. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 25, at the Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the care of the LaryFuneral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Hope A. Lacourciere, 86, passed away peacefully June 17, 2015, at her home. She was born June 25, 1928, in Dover-Foxcroft, the youngest daughter of Jasper and Violet (Towne) Austin.
    After graduating as Valedictorian from Foxcroft Academy in 1946, Hope attended Farmington State Normal School. The family moved to Southington, Conn., in 1960, and her ambitious pursuit of educational goals continued as she attended Central Ct. State College working toward her Masters degree while raising seven children, teaching full time, and taking high average on her bowling league. Her teaching career spanned 36 years in Maine and Connecticut. She retired in 1989 and moved back to her much loved Dover-Foxcroft caring for her ailing mother.
    She remained very active in retirement doing substitute teaching and organizing singing groups that performed locally. The original trio was called Faith, Hope and Clarity which later became The Aging Polka Dots. Hope was a member of the United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She was a founding member of the High Hopes Singers and belonged to the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society as well as the National Educational Association.
    Hope continued to play horseshoes remaining unbeaten by her sons and most of the local males who dared to challenge her. Wherever there was need, Hope was there to help. She volunteered her time at Mayo Regional Hospital and she started The Hope Fund which was established to support the strings program at Foxcroft Academy. Many students have gained the benefit of private lessons and more importantly a lifelong appreciation of music which Hope so loved.
    She donated generously to others in need, her church, and Center Theater. She was especially proud of her family and loved in return by all who knew her.
    She is survived by her son, Richard and his wife, Maryann; son, Kenneth; son, Stephen and his wife, Dana; son, Jay Pinkerton and his wife, Kathleen; son, Keith Lacourciere and his wife, Noreen; daughter, Jean Kelley and her husband, Thomas; and daughter, Suzanne Kostuk and her husband, James; as well as 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
    Very special thanks go out to her incredible caretakers! Cathy Campbell and crew were truly her angels during her last six months on earth.
    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Hope Fund at Foxcroft Academy by accessing their website at www.foxcroftacademy.org or by calling 207-564-8351.
    Friends and family are invited to call from 12 noon until time of memorial service at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2015, at the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft, with Pastor Mark Stevens officiating. Burial will be in the family lot in Lee Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.