She was born Sept. 22, 1956, in Biddeford, a daughter of Paul E. and Violette (Lacourse) Gagne. She was educated in Biddeford, graduating from Biddeford High School in the Class of 1976. She then attended Southern Maine Vocational Technical College in South Portland.
On July 2, 1976, she married Serge M. Ruel at St. Joseph’s Church.
Elaine had a long work history, starting at Webber Hospital and including Southridge Living Center and Kennebunk Nursing Home, where she applied her culinary skills. Her career continued at St. Louis Child Care Center and the Shaw House, both in Biddeford.
She was also employed for a time at the University of Southern Maine in Portland and finally at York Manor in Biddeford, retiring in 2009 due to ill health.
In her spare time, she enjoyed ceramics, oil painting and boasting about her grandchildren.
Elaine was preceded in death by three siblings: Patricia Thibodeau of Biddeford, Dorothy Vachon of Saco, and Paul Gagne of Waterboro.
She is survived by: her husband, Serge Ruel of Biddeford; one son, Michael P. Ruel and wife Julie of Kalamazoo, Michigan; one daughter, Stephanie L. Coleman and husband Stafford of Biddeford; two sisters, Constance Thimble- Graham and husband Paul of Brooksville, Florida, and Suzanne Ruel and husband Richard of Biddeford; seven grandchildren; and her dog, Baby.
Visiting hours will be 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main St., Saco, followed by burial at 4 p.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery in Biddeford.
To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
Donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to: American Lung Association, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.
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