Maine State Library Maine State Documents Livermore Books Livermore, Maine 1-2016 Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories Eva A. (Castonguay) Labonte Jean Paul Labonte Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/livermore_books Recommended Citation Labonte, Eva A. (Castonguay) and Labonte, Jean Paul, "Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories" (2016). Livermore Books. Book 1. http://digitalmaine.com/livermore_books/1 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Livermore, Maine at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Livermore Books by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories Eva A (Castonguay) Labonte 1935 ---- 2009 Jean Paul Labonte 1935 ---- Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories Contents General Notes .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Peter ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Eva Castonguay .................................................................................................................................................. 9 My Memories of Life on the Farm ................................................................................................................ 12 The Lighting Rods ........................................................................................................................................... 75 Wild Experiences ............................................................................................................................................. 80 A Pleasant Summer Day on the Farm .......................................................................................................... 88 Memories ........................................................................................................................................................... 89 Work (1952-1958) ....................................................................................................................................... 89 Met John (1957-1963) ................................................................................................................................. 90 Memorable Event: The Madonna holding the child Jesus in her arms ............................................... 93 The Christmas Tree ......................................................................................................................................... 95 The Christmas Tree (Version one) ........................................................................................................... 95 The Christmas Tree (Version two) ........................................................................................................ 100 The Christmas Tree (Version three) ...................................................................................................... 105 A Trip Into the Past - A Tale of Two Women ......................................................................................... 109 Lady of the House ........................................................................................................................................ 112 A Challenge for Eva ..................................................................................................................................... 118 Angel in a Mackinaw Jacket ......................................................................................................................... 122 The Runaway ................................................................................................................................................. 126 The Runaway (Version one) ................................................................................................................... 126 The Runaway (Version two) ................................................................................................................... 126 Memories: A New Beginning ...................................................................................................................... 128 Adventure on the Kennebec ....................................................................................................................... 134 Memories: Decorations at Church (1978-2005) ....................................................................................... 149 Reflections of Life on the Hill (Greene).................................................................................................... 154 Journey with Cancer--Phase 3 ................................................................................................................ 195 Changed Life Plans ....................................................................................................................................... 212 Changed Life Plans (Version one) ......................................................................................................... 212 Changed Life Plans (Version two) ......................................................................................................... 219 At Last It's Over............................................................................................................................................ 224 Suffering With Christ. .............................................................................................................................. 227 Page 1 Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories Changed Forever .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Cancer Journey "Life Goes On" ................................................................................................................. 230 Eva A. Labonte Obituary ............................................................................................................................ 234 The Dynamics of our Family ...................................................................................................................... 236 Engagement Ring .......................................................................................................................................... 237 John's Early Years .................................................................................................................................... 243 John’s Bike ................................................................................................................................................. 261 Our Mother's Kind of Christmas and Our Dad at Christmas ............................................................... 264 Our Mother’s Kind of Christmas........................................................................................................... 264 Our Dad At Christmas………………………………………………………………………..264 Stella's Soap .................................................................................................................................................... 268 Page 2 Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories General Notes January 2011 To: Mark; Pauline; Joline; Anne; Andre Your Mother loved life and enjoyed writing about it. Some years ago, she set out to write about her life as a young girl growing up on a farm and the many joys, hardships, experiences and events that she lived during that period of her life. Once done with that era she continued writing about her life after she was married and up to the present, in a sense, a short, if not complete biography. In addition to her short biography, you will find stories, events and incidents that occurred over her married life mostly concerning one of you. This binder, amateurishly put together by me, will at least give you and your children and even future generations, a history of her life, thoughts, loves, faith, and many other characteristics of herself. How many people can say they have a history of their mother or grandmother or great grandmother etc.? I, for one, have no knowledge of the lives of my grandparents or other ancestors. I would have welcomed the opportunity to have such history of my forefathers. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone would write their life story for the benefit of their children and future generations? For you, it's a souvenir of your Mother as well as a history for your children and future generations. Enjoy! Love, Dad Note to all who read the content of this binder: As was often the case, Mother (Eva) often made corrections or otherwise edited her writings but failed to delete or replace earlier versions. Hence, as I go through the various drives on the computer as well as other savings devices (CD's; thumb drives, etc.) I most always come up with numerous copies of the same article or writing. For example, "The Christmas Tree"-three different copies were found with three different dates as to when they were either written or edited. In such cases, if some of the versions were substantially different, I've printed and saved all copies. In this binder, you will find a copy of each. In most cases however, the copies are very similar with a few minor or insignificant changes here and there, but basically, the same story, in which case only the latest dated version was printed and included in this binder. Dad Page 3 Labonte & Castonguay Family Stories Peter Peter