Anna was born in Soldier Pond, the thirteenth of fifteen children born to Willie and Vitaline Levesque Bouchard, on July 9, 1914. A bright and ambitious child, she loved attending Soldier Pond School when possible, but family circumstances prevented attendance beyond the fifth grade. From her early years, Anna cared for the children of her older siblings and became an outstanding cook and childcare provider. She was always very fond of children and seemed to possess the "magic touch" when they became fussy!
Anna remained a hard worker all of her life. While married to her first husband, she was employed at Saco-Lowell in Biddeford. In 1944, she moved to Brunswick as a single mother and worked at the Harding Plant, where she met Frank M. Courson, Jr., whom she married in 1945. After working at Verney Mills for 10 years, she became a custodian at Bowdoin College Library, retiring after 22 years. Following her retirement, her former boss declared that it took two people to replace her! Anna was widowed at the young age of 44, leaving her with a young son to support on her own, which she did with great love and pride. She managed to maintain her own home until 1994, when she moved to Pejepscot Terrace, where she made many new friends.
Anna was independent and feisty with a wonderful sense of humor. She loved watching football, especially the Patriots, Giants, Green Bay and Notre Dame teams. She was fond of traditional French- Canadian music and also loved the songs of Daniel O’Donnell. As a young woman she greatly enjoyed going to dances in her native northern Maine. One of her hobbies was walking, which she did for miles and miles well into her late 80’s, when her health prevented lengthy outings. She loved animals, particularly cats, dogs and birds. Because her husband, Frank, had been treasurer of the Maine Audubon Society, she became quite adept at identifying birds. Most of all, Anna loved her family. She was extremely proud of her Franco American heritage and remained close to her relatives all of her life. Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her fourteen brothers and sisters, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Surviving are two sons: William R. Perreault and wife Ercil of Brunswick, and Wayne J. Courson and wife Susan of Windham; five grandchildren: Stephen Perreault of Caribou, Dale and John Perreault of Brunswick, Wendy Courson Cutter of Monte Vista, Colorado, and Shelby Courson Larsen of Pleasant Grove, Utah; ten great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces, greatnephews, and great-nieces.
Anna was full of energy and determined in all things she did. She is loved, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. At her request, there will be no memorial service. A graveside service at Varney Cemetery will be held in the spring. Arrangements are under the direction of Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. If desired, donations in her name may be made to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P. O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098- 0336. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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