FORT KENT, Maine — One in every of Fort Kent’s main businesswomen and a notable contributor to group organizations, Kathryn (Paradis) Roy, died on Tuesday, July 5, after combating breast most cancers for the final 5 years.
“Kathy helped information a profitable third-generation prolonged household enterprise that has been an integral a part of our group for many years. She did it with class and with out fanfare,” former Fort Kent city supervisor Don Guimond mentioned.
Roy was a co-owner of the household enterprise Paradis Store ’n Save, a series of grocery shops all through northern and central Maine, together with within the St. John Valley cities of Fort Kent and Madawaska and the Penobscot County metropolis of Brewer. Paradis Store ’n Save will rejoice 75 years in enterprise this August.
Roy was awarded the 2009 Fort Kent Lady of the 12 months award by the Fort Kent Enterprise & Skilled Girls’s group.
She was a humble one who had a powerful work ethic and led by instance, in response to her cousin and Store ’n Save co-owner Denis Paradis.
“She was a diligent individual,” Denis Paradis mentioned. “She was truthful to all associates. She liked her work and the folks all through the group.”
Roy volunteered for a lot of group organizations, together with 17 years for the Acadia Federal Credit score Union board of administrators, on which she served with Guimond.
“You could possibly rely on her dedication to the group in service to the group,” Guimond mentioned. “Her well timed phrases and foresight regarding points the board was tasked with all the time contributed to acceptable selections being made.”
Roy additionally served on the College of Maine at Fort Kent Board of Guests and Northern Maine Medical Heart Board of Trustees.
An avid golfer, she additionally was director/secretary on the Fort Kent Golf Membership.
“Kathy had a really nice athletic skill and competed in plenty of sports activities,” Paradis mentioned.
There was nothing Roy liked greater than her household although, Paradis mentioned. Roy and her husband of 42 years, Bertrand Roy, shared two grownup kids — Jason Roy and Katelyn Roy Dubois, in addition to 4 grandchildren.
“After all each recollection has Bert Roy beside her all through thick and skinny; they’ve all the time been finest buds,” Paradis mentioned.
Paradis has some particular childhood recollections of his cousin.
The tight-knit Paradis clan loved time spent all through the years at household campsites on land that Roy’s and Paradis’ grandfather Store ’n Save founder Louis Paradis bought for $150 and a cow.
“My early recollection of Kathy is hanging out at household capabilities at our beloved Eagle Lake,” Denis Paradis mentioned.
Guimond mentioned the lack of Kathy Roy is a blow to the group.
“We have been blessed to have had her share her information with us for the betterment of your entire area,” Guimond mentioned.
Roy’s memorial service shall be held on Saturday, July 9. Her household has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Edgar J. Paradis Most cancers Fund.
