Harriet Caron

GORHAM – Harriet Caron, our beloved Mom, Gram, Mammy, Memere, Jammy, joined the Communion of Saints in the Church Triumphant on Sunday, June 29, 2025, after a brief illness.

If you had the honor of knowing Harriet, you probably thought that Shakespeare wrote his famous line, “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” about her. She was a force of nature, made of cast iron. But even more than that, she was charm, kindness, and love personified.

Harriet was born early on Feb. 10, 1932 in Westbrook to Harry J. LeClair Sr. and Marie Eugenie Lefebvre LeClair, and went to Westbrook schools, graduating in 1950 from Westbrook High School. On Aug. 12, 1950, she married Donald P. Caron, and they were married for more than 42 years. Together, they raised four children while she also worked for Duclos Bros. Bakery, Westbrook Junior High School in the cafeteria, and for 29 years at Westbrook Community Hospital. Harriet and Donald were also very active in the U.S.S. Missouri Association, traveling every Labor Day weekend to many locations around the U.S., and hosting the annual reunion in Portland in 1987. After her retirement in 1991, they wintered in St. Cloud, Fla. After Donald passed in 1993, Harriet filled her days with her large family, especially her nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She loved watching their games, recitals, concerts – watching them. They were her greatest joy. She was famous for her knit washcloths, her word search puzzles and her molasses cookies.

Harriet was predeceased by her husband, Donald; her children Teresa and Steve; her parents, Harry Sr. and Eugenie; her sisters Mary, Irene, and Sr. Theresa Eugene (Jeannette) as well as her brothers, Harry Rene and Harry Jr., and sister-in-law, Jeanne.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Tony Tanguay, her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Kim Caron, son-in-law, Mark Sanborn; grandchildren RuthAnn (Tony) Labrecque, Rob (Nicole) Caron, Jennifer (Ben) Greslick, Beth (Rob) Benson, Christine Caron, Eric (Jenn) Tanguay, Phillip Caron, Adam (Rachelle) Tanguay, and Caron Tanguay; her great-grandchildren, Anthony (Caroline) Benson, Mary Greslick, Avery Paul, Lauren Benson, Brandon Caron, CC (Caleb) Cochran, Logan Caron, Xander Greslick, Mason Caron, Amelia Greslick, Hannah Tanguay, Jackson Tanguay, Emma Tanguay, Harrison Tanguay, Kyle Labrecque and Corey Labrecque; great-great-grandchildren, Kinsley, Reese, Grady, and Keeley Paul and Camden Lebrecque; sisters-in-law Carol Caron, Charlotte Caron and Shirley Caron. She is also survived by special family friend, Lynelle Leclair; her son, Matt; and many nieces, nephews; and friends.

Harriet’s family would like to thank the staff of Gosnell House for their exceptional care during her final days.

Visiting hours will be Monday, July 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dolby, Blais and Segee, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. at St. Hyacinth’s Church (St. Anthony of Padua Parish), 268 Brown St., Westbrook, with burial immediately following at St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery, Stroudwater Street, Westbrook. Luncheon to follow in the parish hall at St. Hyacinth’s Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to

Gorham Fire & Rescue

270 Main St.

Gorham, ME 04038