Louise T. Kuusela

RAYMOND — Louise T. Kuusela, of Raymond, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 3, 2012, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Louise Tardie Kuusela was born Louise Rachel Tardie in Eagle Lake on July 19, 1957, to Lionel and Laurette Tardie.

Louise attended Winterville and Eagle Lake Grammar schools, where she had the unique privilege of having her mom as her teacher for three years. She was often heard in the same breath complaining of how tough her teacher was and how much she loved her mom.

In 1975, she graduated from Fort Kent Community High School and moved to Portland to become a nurse. In 1978, she graduated from the Mercy Nursing Program and met the love of her life, her husband Larry. In Oct. of 1978, they started a life together and got married in Eagle Lake.

In that same year, she passed her boards, got her RN License, and started her nursing career at the Osteopathic Hospital in Portland. She stayed there until the birth of her first son in 1982, Jonathan Skipp. She then had a second son in 1986, Joshua Laurence.

During this time, she worked part-time at the Raymond Post Office. Eventually, she went back to the Osteopathic Hospital, renamed the Brighton Medical Center, as a surgical nurse. Shortly after, Brighton combined with Maine Medical Center and later she moved to the new Scarborough Surgical Center in August, 2007. As she put it, she loved helping people. She started the Brighton Bear program, offering free teddy bears to children prepping for surgery. Her biggest love in life besides her husband and family, were the nurses that she worked with; they were their own family.

Louise and Larry enjoyed traveling, especially to the Caribbean. Louise loved Key West. They often snowmobiled in Aroostook County and Canada. Louise loved the Kuusela family camp on Long Lake in Harrison. They spent many hours boating with Larry’s sister Susan and her husband Bruce as a great foursome. Louise also enjoyed quilting, sewing, and cooking. Louise was a lover of all animals, especially golden retrievers.

Her biggest joy came in 2010 when her son Jon blessed her with a grandson, Logan Michael. He was Mimi’s pride and Joy; picking him up from daycare and being with him whenever she could.

Louise is survived by her husband of 34 years, Larry; their two sons, Jonathan of Windham and Joshua, currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. in the Army Special Forces; a grandson; her loving family parents, Lionel and Laurette Tardie of Winterville; and three siblings, brother Don of Ashland, sister Liz Guy of Eagle Lake and sister Ann Belanger of Soldier Pond; her in-laws including Sue and Bruce Wood of Casco; these plus the 11 nieces and nephews; 29 first cousins; and two aunts who will remember her for her vitality, outspokenness, and “joie de vie.”

Visiting hours will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at the United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road, Gorham. The Rev. Linwood Arnold will officiate.

For online condolences, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com

Flowers may be sent to Dolby Funeral Chapel in Windham and gifts of remembrances may be sent to: Maine Medical Center, Development Department, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102, in support of the MMC Breast Care Center for patient support and the pediatric teddy bear program at the Scarborough Surgical Center.