Today, for Women's History Month, we are celebrating this fantastic woman
Meet Lori Dean Gaudreau, 55, mother of 3, a dedicated teacher...
Lori was born and raised in South Portland, Maine and still lives there today, in the same house she grew up in! She is the youngest child in her family, born when her parents were both in their 40’s, which was unusual back in 1965. When Lori was still a baby, her sister Karen went off to nursing school, and her brother Dennis joined the Air Force three years later. As a result, Lori was raised very much like an only child. If you ask her siblings, they would probably use the word “spoiled”.
Lori had a wonderful childhood with neighborhood friends. In the absence of today’s technology (thank goodness!), they spent a lot of time outdoors - climbing trees, jumping rope, riding bikes - just having fun. One of her favorite memories is of spending entire days at the tennis courts with her friend Kelly, with a jug of kool-aid and a bag of snacks. They made it home in time for dinner. Those were the days….
Lori always loved school but never planned on becoming a teacher. From the time she was a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. After graduation, she went off to the University of New Hampshire to study Animal Science. That career path changed, though, when Lori made the choice to leave the program after her freshman year. She caved to the pressure of professors who constantly talked about how difficult it would be for women to get into vet school. She didn’t have the confidence in herself to prove them wrong. She continued to study science, but because of her social nature, she couldn’t handle the thought of working in a lab. Teaching seemed like a perfect fit. She was first hired as a long term substitute for a 6th grade teacher in OOB, and that turned into a permanent position. More than 30 years later, she’s still going strong. She’s currently teaching math and social studies and continues to find joy (and frustration) in teaching middle schoolers, but she is hoping to retire within the next few years, before she has to teach any of the grandchildren of her former students!
Lori was married for 18 years and has 3 boys who are now 19, 21 and 24. She made it a point to get involved with the activities that they joined as they grew up - Cub Scouts, Boy Singers of Maine, SP Music programs, and SPHS robotics. Now that the boys are all pursuing their own paths, Lori has become more focused on finding “me time”. She started a craft business and loves to create one of a kind items for others. She craves traveling and wants to see as much of the world as possible. Having lost many people she cares about (including both of her parents as well as her former husband) at relatively young ages, she doesn’t want to waste a minute of the life she has left. She vows to say “yes” to adventure as often as possible. She considers herself lucky to have many close friends and family members and cherishes her relationships and experiences with each of them. She also has 2 treasured cats and is on the verge of crazy cat lady status (according to her sons) if she even thinks about adopting another.
One of her favorite sayings sums up the way Lori is living her best life:
“Life is short. Take the trip. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake.”
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Thank you, Renata, for including me in this month of celebrating women. What a fun adventure!
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Thank you Lori, for taking part in this project and for sharing your story!
#whm #womenshistorymonthproject #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment
3 Comments
Mar 27, 2021, 10:04:25 PM
Elizabeth Cabot - Congrats! One of my kids favorite teachers. Mine as well!
Mar 23, 2021, 4:40:20 PM
Elaine L. Hodnett - Beautiful write up for a good friend of mine! We have been friends for years, through Cub Scouts...her eldest son was in my "den". Lori is a kind, thoughtful and generous spirit. Thank you for doing this story on her.
Mar 23, 2021, 4:01:21 PM
Patricia Somers Madore - I just 'met' Lori in a business class we are both taking! Being from Maine, also, we connected and I have to say I can't wait to meet her in person one day! What a joy and lady she is!! You go girl and I will see you in Ashley's group!!!