Portland-Leatrice (Lee) Gallant 83, formerly of Richmond died on June 2, 2010.

Leatrice/Lee was born in Bath on December 12, 1926 to the parents of Leonard L. and Alma C. Bishop, growing up on Angel Ave, South Portland, graduating Class of 1943. On December 18, 1943, Lee married John J. Gallant while in college whom she had met @ Willard Beach when John was stationed in Maine. She graduated from Becker Junior College, in 1944, attended University of Michigan receiving her undergraduate degree and her MA from the University of Maine in 1974. Lee was a teacher in Michigan from 1955 to 1966, and Lisbon, ME 1966-1969, teaching grades K though 12, in addition to teaching the visual and hearing impaired in Portland, ME. In 1969 Lee was employed as a Social Worker, and teacher for the WEET program with the State of Maine DHHS, retiring December 1988. While residing in Michigan from 1952-1966, Lee would pack up her four children as soon as school was dismissed in June and off to Maine for their summers. Her children were often taken on “side trips”, or “short cuts” to Gettysburg, NYC, New York Worlds Fair, DC and every historical landmark within a 500 mile radius while on their journey to Maine. Lee was a MENSA with an immeasurable IQ, read a minimum of ten books a week, taught school, cooked gourmet meals every night, her family never knew which country cuisine she was preparing. She was adventuresome, independent, and loved life to fullest. Lee commanded and controlled everything with boundless energy, and her way, and only her way was acceptable. She loved the ocean, theater, movies, swimming, symphony, poetry, ballet, music, lobsters, steamers, champagne, playing bridge and beano, never sleeping…she was truly a night owl. She hated to fly but loved to travel, and managed to get to her desired destinations. Whether it was the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA three times, Mardi Gras in New Orleans which she went to three times, every US state except Alaska and Hawaii, the European Continent, visiting 27 countries her first visit (returning to every country several times) including the former Eastern Block countries and Russia the first year after the Cold War ended, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Finland, British Isles, Bermuda, Iceland, Greenland, Mexico, Canada, Panama Canal, Caribbean Islands, the Passion Play in Germany, but mostly her beloved France, her favorite country; she loved all of France….and Paris and Venice were her favorite cities (next to NYC, New Orleans, San Franciso, LA, San Diego, Chicago). Lee loved parties, costume, theme, birthday, and any occasion…didn’t matter as long as people were gathering, and she was arranging the next party. “Things” were never important to Lee, but had houses full of her “treasures” like wrappers from the first piece of gum her children or grandchildren ever chewed, memorabilia from every country and US cities that she visited, resulting in several houses of floor to ceiling books (including every book of her four children), papers, travel books, magazines, family and friend photos. She had life long Willard Square friends, as well as her traveling buddies, Barbara Feltes and Lillian O'Brien. Lee aka Aimee’/Gram loved her five grandchildren JJ, Mark, David, Abigail, and Mollie, taking them on trips to Ireland, France, Spain, as well as a recent trip to the Rose Bowl in 2007. Family and friends were her life, and all were fortunate to be a part of this incredible woman. What a history she created in 83 very short years.

Lee was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Alma Bishop, brother, Leonard L. Bishop, Jr., her husband, John J. Gallant. She is survived by her four children the “4 J's” son John J. Gallant, Jr. and wife, Vera Gallant of Merritt Island, FL and Rockwood, ME; daughter, Jeanne I. Shrum of Portland, ME; son James E. Gallant and wife Ellen of Richmond, ME; and son, Jerold L. Gallant and wife June of Portland and Nobleboro, ME. Grandchildren, John J. Gallant III (JJ) of Revere, MA, Mark Devoe of Portland, ME, David Devoe of Brooklyn, NY (David shared his birthday with Aimee' of 12/12), Abigail R. Gallant of Quincy, MA and Mollie P. Gallant of Brooklyn, NY, sister Carolyn LaChance of Old Orchard Beach, ME. and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation hours Saturday, June 12 1-4 pm at Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant Street, Richmond, ME 04357 (207) 737-4395

Celebration of Lee’s life: Sunday, June 13, 1-5 pm @ the home of Jeanne Shrum (Lee’s daughter), 1405 Westbrook Street, Portland, ME 04102.

In her memory donations donations may be made to the American Heart Association 51 Route One suite M Scarborough, Maine 04074, American Lung Association of Maine 122 State St. Augusta, Me 04333, the Animal Refuge League 449 Stroudwater St. Westbrook, Me 04092 or a charity of your choice.