BIDDEFORD — Jeanne M. Rioux, 92, of Biddeford, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Kennebunk Nursing and Rehabilitation in Kennebunk from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on Aug. 28, 1922 to Eugene and Laura (Dery) Caron in Sanford.

Jeanne was the third of 13 children and played a large role in bringing up her younger siblings. She became an excellent baker, making pies daily for her family to enjoy.

Jeanne was a very good student and graduated from Holy Family Elementary School. She had to leave school after one year of high school to care for her elderly grandmother, Adele Caron. This dedication to family was a theme often repeated in her life.

In the summer of 1940, Jeanne’s older brother, Fernand, introduced her to her future husband, Henry Rioux, at an outing in Old Orchard Beach. There was instant chemistry. They dated briefly until Henry joined the army and was deployed to the Pacific Theater in World War II.

Jeanne and Henry were married on Oct. 8, 1946 in a double wedding with her brother Gerard and his bride Simone. Jeanne and Henry lived in Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach until Henry built the family home at 27 West St. in Biddeford in 1953.

Jeanne embraced her role as homemaker; in addition to her cooking skills, she was an accomplished seamstress and made clothing for her two children, Denis and Rachel. Again, she was also there to help family in need, caring for her sister Theresa L’Heureux’s daughter Michelle during her long illness, and her sister Gertrude Pierce’s son Steve during a prolonged hospitalization.

Later, as a grandmother, she lovingly cared for her grandchildren, Chris, Melissa and Michael. They have many fond memories of days spent with Memere and Pepere.

Henry and Jeanne valued spending time with and maintaining strong relationships with their many siblings on both sides of the family. Most weekends included get-togethers; in the earlier years there were always a dozen or more nieces and nephews; in later years, after Henry’s retirement, they often enjoyed taking trips with extended family throughout New England and Canada.

Jeanne and Henry were devoted to each other; that initial chemistry remained to the end. Even when she was overtaken with her disease, she would brighten up instantly when she saw Henry in his almost daily visits to the nursing home.

Jeanne is preceded in death by: her husband, Henry, in 2013.

She is survived by: her children, Denis Rioux and his wife Daphne of Biddeford, and Rachel Rioux of Arundel; three grandchildren, Christopher Rioux of Biddeford, Melissa Rioux of Saco, and Michael Rioux of Old Orchard Beach; sisters, Germaine Chevalier and her husband Paul of Sanford, and Doris Higgins of Sanford; and brother, Henry Caron and his wife Paula of Sanford.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation for the wonderful care they provided over the last 11 years of Jeanne’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2c, Scarborough, ME 04074.

There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford.

Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.