Linda Jean (Willette) Fortin Obituary (1949 - 2019)

“Between the earth and sky above, nothing can match a grandmother’s love.” Author unknown OAKLAND, ME--Linda Jean (Willette) Fortin, 69, of Oakland, Maine was called to heaven on Friday, January 25, 2019, after a long heart-rending 2-year battle with cancer. She passed peacefully with her family surrounding her. Linda was born in Waterville Maine, on October 20, 1949, the daughter of Eugene and Odile (Levesque) Willette. She was predeceased by her son, James Allen McDonald; her parents, Eugene and Odile Willette; her brothers, Eugene, Stanley, Herman and James Willette; and her sisters, Joyce Beaudoin, Gloria Vigue, Angela Buker and Phyllis Munster. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Fortin of Oakland, ME; her daughter, Melissa Fenwick and her husband, Todd of Sidney, ME; her son, Dennis McDonald and his wife, Traci of Fairfield, ME; her son, Michael McDonald of Fairfield, ME; her sister, Cynthia Willette Gandee and her husband, Wesley of Texas; her brother, Roger Willette and his wife, Jennifer of Connecticut; her brother-in-law, Alfred Vigue of Waterville, ME; and many nieces and nephews. Her precious gifts were her five grandchildren, Devin McDonald, Mitchell McDonald, Renee McDonald, Wyatt Fenwick and Mason McDonald. She was forever a great friend and second Mom to many people, William and Gail Halliday and family and her besties Mary Blakeslee, Tammy Crowell, Vickie Grant and Melissa Proctor. Linda’s impeccable work ethic and constantly caring for others began at The Hathaway Company in Waterville, Maine, where she worked with many of her sisters and sisters-in-law, she once said that going to the Hathaway was more like a get-together rather than work. While at Hathaway she also worked at The Great American Deli in Waterville, where she helped to cook and clean. Her family would often be seen hanging out at the lunch counter. After the Hathaway, she began her journey of caring for others as part of the housekeeping staff at Pleasant Heights in Fairfield, from there she spent 18 years at Mount St. Josephs in Waterville where she cared and cooked for many retired Priests in what is called the Priests Annex of Mount St. Josephs. She prepared elaborate home cooked meals for them and cared for them all as if she were their own Mother. They would often become very upset when Linda took a day off as no one else could prepare their meals as she did. She retired from The Mount in November of 2015. She was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2016. Linda’s favorites in life, besides her family and friends were, her miniature poodle Ben, lobster, Chinese food, and Christmas sugar cookies. She enjoyed painting various ceramic statues and Christmas creations for all her children and grandchildren. She had the cleanest house around and would often be seen sweeping or moping the floor as you were leaving. She loved her road trips to various parts of New England with her friends and family and her special mall and county trips with her girlfriends. She watched her grandchildren in their various sporting and dance activities. She always spoke her mind and would do anything for anyone in need and even in her last moments; she was making sure that her husband would be cared for. Her family would like to send a very special thank you to Hospice of Maine General and deep gratitude to the Comfort Care unit of the Glenridge Facility in Augusta, the nurses and staff not only made sure that she was comfortable and well cared for but were constantly attending to all our needs as well. The compassion felt there will forever comfort us.