Difference between revisions of "Orena Adrianne Potvin"
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| − | Orena Adrianne Potvin was born on September 1, 1920 in Rochester, New Hampshire to Adolph Adrian Potvin and Antonia Mary (Dubois) Potvin. She had 3 brothers: Oliver Maurice (Pete), Daniel Firmin (Dan) and Gerard Raymond (Jerry), | + | ==Childhood== |
| + | Orena (Rena) Adrianne Potvin was born on September 1, 1920 in Rochester, New Hampshire to Adolph Adrian Potvin and Antonia Mary (Dubois) Potvin. She had 3 younger brothers: Oliver Maurice (Pete), Daniel Firmin (Dan) and Gerard Raymond (Jerry), and no sisters. Her parents separated when she was a young girl and, consequently, her family was extremely poor. Despite the fact that her mother took in business doing sewing alterations on the side, the was on welfare. Too often, supper only consisted of baked potatoes. Sometimes Orena would have to walk to the butcher’s and ask for bones to take home for her mother to make soup. Rena grew up quickly due to the stresses of poverty. After she completed eighth grade, she felt compelled to quit school and go to work to help support the household. | ||
When she was in her early twenties, she began singing with her brother, Pete. She learned to play the guitar by ear and was blessed with a beautiful voice and the ability to yodel. Pete and Rena were known as the “Rambling Twins” and sang on the radio. During her radio career, Rena was known as “Rambling Rena”. It is unknown as to why she ended her singing career. | When she was in her early twenties, she began singing with her brother, Pete. She learned to play the guitar by ear and was blessed with a beautiful voice and the ability to yodel. Pete and Rena were known as the “Rambling Twins” and sang on the radio. During her radio career, Rena was known as “Rambling Rena”. It is unknown as to why she ended her singing career. | ||
Revision as of 15:27, 23 July 2015
| Orena Adrianne Potvin | |
| Nationality: |  American
|
| Born: | September 1, 1926 Rochester, New Hampshire |
| Died: | December 24, 1984 Canoga Park, California |
| Father: | Adolph A Potvin |
| Mother: | Antonia M Dubois |
| Spouse: | Onesime Wilfred (Bill) Gagnon |
| Married: | September 28, 1946 Rochester, New Hampshire |
| Children: | Jeanne Gagnon Lorraine T Gagnon Richard Gagnon |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Residence: | Rochester, NH East Hartford, CT Newington, CT Simi Valley, CA Canoga Park, CA |
| Profession: | C&W Radio Singer Assembler Stay at Home Mother |
Childhood
Orena (Rena) Adrianne Potvin was born on September 1, 1920 in Rochester, New Hampshire to Adolph Adrian Potvin and Antonia Mary (Dubois) Potvin. She had 3 younger brothers: Oliver Maurice (Pete), Daniel Firmin (Dan) and Gerard Raymond (Jerry), and no sisters. Her parents separated when she was a young girl and, consequently, her family was extremely poor. Despite the fact that her mother took in business doing sewing alterations on the side, the was on welfare. Too often, supper only consisted of baked potatoes. Sometimes Orena would have to walk to the butcher’s and ask for bones to take home for her mother to make soup. Rena grew up quickly due to the stresses of poverty. After she completed eighth grade, she felt compelled to quit school and go to work to help support the household.
When she was in her early twenties, she began singing with her brother, Pete. She learned to play the guitar by ear and was blessed with a beautiful voice and the ability to yodel. Pete and Rena were known as the “Rambling Twins” and sang on the radio. During her radio career, Rena was known as “Rambling Rena”. It is unknown as to why she ended her singing career.
In her late twenties, she moved to Connecticut where she shared an apartment with friend, Paulette Blois (who eventually became Godmother to Rena’s oldest child, Jeanne). While living in Connecticut, Rena met Onesime Wilfred (Bill) Gagnon. She admitted that she didn’t like him very much at their initial meeting, but once they began dating, they fell in love. Rena and Bill were married on September 28, 1946, not long after her 26th birthday.
Rena and Bill had three children: Jeanne, Lorraine and Richard. Rena loved being a mother. In 1956, they moved to California. Rena didn’t really like California and often spoke of wanting to return to Connecticut. Bill and Rena spent lots of time with their children on camping trips and other adventures as they were growing up.
Some of Rena’s interests were her love of old, black and white classic movies, bowling with a local bowling team, and taking trips to Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the early 70’s, Rena joined a weight-loss support group called Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) and she was crowned queen of the year because she had lost 50 pounds. As the children grew and eventually began moving out of the house, their marriage began to crumble. Bill and Rena were legally separated after 26 years of marriage and in 1980, the divorce became final. Rena felt the need to return to the East coast. Once they initially separated, she packed up her car and began the long trek across the United States. She spent a month on the East coast, staying with various family members. Once she returned to California, she got an apartment and began looking for work. Over the next ten years, Rena moved a few times and worked at various companies as an Assembler. On December 24, 1984, at the age of 64, she passed away.
Rena loved her children and grandchildren. She had a difficult life at times, but still left her family with wonderful memories of the good times.
Additional detailed information: Father: Adolph Adrian Potvin, born in Suncook, New Hampshire on February 12, 1891 • Served in the Army during World War I as a private in Battery F of the 20th Field Artillery • Received a Victory medal and was honorably discharged in 1918 • Occupation was farmer and box maker • Died at the age of 58 from skull fracture Mother: Antonia Mary (Dubois) Potvin, born in Quebec, Canada on October 27, 1890 • Died at age 50 from cancer of the kidney Antonia’s parents: Pierre and Caroline Dubois Adolph’s parents: Daniel and Emona Potvin
Lived in: New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and California
