Leona (Lee) LaPierre of Ogunquit, ME passed peacefully at her home, on Friday, February 3, 2017. Lee was the beloved wife of Roger LaPierre, a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. An Ogunquit resident for 47 years, she was born and raised in Waltham, MA. Before moving to Ogunquit Lee resided in Natick, Massachusetts. There she worked at Ratheon and raised her family. While in Natick she was extremely active in the Parish of Saint Zepherin’s and the president of the women’s club. She later made Ogunquit her home where Lee was the founder and proprietor of the acclaimed Blue Water Inn. Lee built the business from a small Inn to an iconic seaside inn and restaurant. Lee entertained guests from all over the world at the Blue Water Inn and made every guest feel as though they were the most important person to ever visit Ogunquit. For her Canadian guests she would single handedly prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for their holiday. Lee established the Ogunquit River tube race in the early 1990’s, which was a successful fund raiser for a number of charity organizations. Lee was also very active in The Holy Spirit Parish of Wells and Kennebunk where she participated in the choir, with her granddaughter, Jennifer, and spiritual activities. In addition to her involvement in the church, she was an active member of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce. Everything Lee did, she did with a smile on her face. She never had a bad word to say about anyone. Optimism embodied Lee. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was “Nana”.
One of eight children, Lee was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Grace Halpin, her brothers, Leo, Paul, and Donald, three sisters, Grace, Marie, and Muriel Frazier.
Lee is survived by her loving husband, Roger LaPierre; her daughter Karen Pinkham and husband Kenneth of Milford, MA; her son Gerald (Jeb) Dufresne and his wife Heidi of Wells, ME; her sister Elaine Russo and her husband Christopher of Medway, MA; her brother, Richard Halpin of Indian Orchard, MA; a cousin Margaret McKenny of Parrish, FL; her adored grandchildren: Sean Pinkham, Justin Dufresne, Nathan Dufresne, and Jennifer Etter. Lee was also blessed to have enjoyed ten great grandchildren: Quinn, Hayden, Ellie, Lilla, Virginia, Colin, Ava, Allie, William, and Andrew, as well as many nieces and nephews and her beloved puppy "Gracie".
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, Wells, ME 04090. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Mary's Church, 236 Eldridge Road, Wells, ME 04090.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to: Holy Spirit Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 236 Eldridge Road, Wells, ME 04090.