SKOWHEGAN – Lorraine Mary Arsenault Boyd Chepren, 91, formerly of New Portland and Hudson, FL, died late Thursday evening, Mar. 4, 2010 at the Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan, where she had been a patient for a few short weeks. Until the time of her death, she was able to visit with her many friends here.
She was born on Sept. 22, 1918, in Chelsea, MA, the daughter of, Joseph and Mary (White) Arsenault.
Lorraine married George Boyd after graduation from Revere High School and they lived in Massachusetts when he joined the Civilian Conservation Cops (CCC) and later the Horse Calvary. She became an Army wife, traveling to Korea in 1947 with three young children and her sister, Virginia. While in Ascom City, Korea, the war conflict escalated and the family was airlifted to Yokohama, Japan where she was diagnosed with Malaria. The family returned to New England and settled in Onset, MA. In 1951, orders transferred her husband to Germany and Lorraine followed with her then four children. She returned to the U.S. with her children in 1953 and they divorced in 1955.
In 1957 she married, Reno Chepren and became a step-mother to his six young children. They owned and managed the Glen Cove Hotel at Onset Beach, MA until their retirement and relocation to New Portland, ME where they had purchased the Chick Farm. The homestead was used as lodging for many years by friends and relatives while enjoying skiing at Sugarloaf Mtn. in the early 1960’s. the group was named The Glen Cove Ski Club.
After permanently settling in Maine, they purchased the old Park Diner in Waterville and had it relocated to New Portland on Rte. 27. They ran the diner until the late 1970’s when it was sold to William and Harriet Tolman.
After the sale of the diner, they traveled to Florida where they purchased a homestead for the winter seasons. They returned to Maine and purchased a mobile home on Rte. 27 in New Portland for the summer months. They traveled back and forth for many years until Reno’s death in 1986. Lorraine continued to enjoy her friends and family in both Florida and Maine until the time of her death.
She was a lifelong member of the Elks Auxiliary of Farmington, the VFW Women’s Auxiliary of Solon, the Maine 1918 Club, Somerset Grange Extension, and the Widows or Widowers (WOW’s). She also spent many hours in community work and made many friends doing so. She was an accomplished knitter, crocheter and loved to read, travel, and play card games. She leaves a legacy of business entrepreneurship and commitment.
She is survived by her children, George Boyd, Jr. of New Port Richey, FL, Warren J. Boyd of Norridgewock, Phyllis Mitchell Reuille of Norridgewock and Virginia M. Eldridge of Carver, MA; step-children, Ronald Chepren of Hobe Sound, FL, Robert Chepren of Wareham, MA, Marilyn Stetkis of Canaan, John Chepren of Middleboro, MA, Judith Wills of New Portland and Jeanne Vashon of Berlin, NH; 27 grandchildren; 28 grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by all of her seven brothers and sisters.
A celebration of her life will be witnessed by her family, 1PM, Saturday, Mar. 13, 2010 at the West Village church in New Portland with Rev. Scott Planting, officiating. Interment will be in the East New Portland Cemetery on the Chepren family plot next to her husband, Reno. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Funeral Home, Cremation Service & Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington. Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Lorraine’s family at www.wilesrc.com.
