Philip E. Charles, 88, of Saco, died Sunday, April 10, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

He was born Nov. 23, 1922, in Derry, N.H., to Merle and Edith (Seavey) Charles. He was a 1941 Thornton Academy graduate.

After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Facsimile and Bar with Star of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the USS Lexington for heroism displayed by her crew against the Japanese forces in the Pacific War area from 1943 to 1945.

He was employed by Saco Lowell Shops and Maremont Corp. in Saco and retired in 1989.

He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and bowling. He also liked to go to the horse races and watch the Red Sox. He especially loved to be with his family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Charles.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Charles, of Saco; two sons, David E. Charles and his wife, Thawin, of Saco and Stanley R. Charles and his wife, Peggy, of Buxton; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Helena Chapin

Helena Chapin, 100, a resident of the Wardwell in Saco for the last nine years, died Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

She was born March 12, 1911, in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and moved in 1917 to Chicopee, Mass., with her parents, Ella and Robert Gordon, and her twin sister, Helen.

She lived in Chicopee for 82 years and worked for Fisk Tire Rubber Co. and Westinghouse in Chicopee before she married E. Warren Chapin in 1938.

When their two children, Janet and Gordon, reached school age, Mrs. Chapin went to work as a librarian. She worked for 22 years in Chicopee, Chicopee Falls and Willimansett branches of the Chicopee Public Library system.

Mrs. Chapin lived in her own home and drove until she was 91. She moved to Saco in 2002 to be near her daughter. She was a member of Union Church in Biddeford Pool, where her family honored her March 13 with a special worship service and 100th birthday celebration. Only three weeks later she fell ill with pneumonia, which claimed her life.

She loved cats, enjoyed crocheting, braiding rugs, singing in the choir, acting in plays and “raising two good kids,” which she claimed was the highlight of her life. When asked to what she attributes her long life, she responded, “Just lucky, I guess!”

Survivors include her son, Gordon W. Chapin and his wife, Patti, of Leesburg, Fla.; her daughter Janet Hryniewicz and her husband, Ed, of Ocean Park; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Dennett, Craig & Pate, Saco.

Laurette Souliere-Lambert

Laurette Souliere-Lambert, 84, of Biddeford died Friday, April 8, 2011, at St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born June 25, 1926, in Lowell, Mass., to Phelorome and Corinne Thibault Descoteaux. She moved to Biddeford with her family in 1929 and was educated in Biddeford schools.

On Sept. 23, 1950, she married Roland A. Souliere at St. Andre Church. He died Aug. 27, 1978. On Oct. 20, 1996, she married Rene C. Lambert at St. Andre Church. He died Dec. 7, 2009.

Mrs. Lambert worked several years at M.H. Fishman’s & Co. department store and Pepperell Manufacturing Co. in Biddeford.

She enjoyed reading, playing cards, homemaking and raising her children.

She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Florence Fisette, Doris Labbe and Theresa Whitten and one brother, Robert Descoteaux.

Survivors include six daughters, Diane Cooper and her husband, John, of Biddeford, Donna Gilbert and husband, Charlie, of Dayton, Linda Elie and her husband, Paul, of Waterboro, Cindy Knox of Biddeford, Susan Costa and her husband, Troy, of Saco and Kelly Boutin of Biddeford; four sons, Gary Souliere and his wife, Darlene, of Sanford, Tracy Souliere and his wife, Kelly, of Alfred, Wayne Souliere and his wife, Karen, of Biddeford and Dana Souliere of Biddeford; two sisters, Georgette Hamel of Biddeford and Lucille Shelton and her husband, Jack, of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Normand Descoteaux of Clearwater, Fla.; 25 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Vito M. Mininni

Vito M. Mininni, 82, of Biddeford died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

He was born Dec. 24, 1928, in Biddeford to Vito M. and Laura Aube Mininni. He was educated in Biddeford schools and graduated in 1947.

Mr. Mininni served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

On Sept. 20, 1952, he married Elizabeth Mullen at St. Mary Church in Westbrook.

Mr. Mininni owned and operated Vito Mininni Inc. in Biddeford. He retired in 1987 and sold the business in 1998. He was also an ownership partner of Lucien Bourque Inc. in Biddeford.

He was a member of Biddeford American Legion and St. Louis Alumni Association. He was a past board member and corporator of Biddeford Savings Bank and currently served as an honorary corporator at the bank.

He loved cooking, photography and cherished his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Hormidas “Mike” Mininni.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth, of Biddeford; two sons, Vito M. Mininni III of Biddeford and Michael A. Mininni and his wife, Kirstin, of Biddeford; four daughters, Laura Mininni and her companion, Dan Plante, of Biddeford, Catherine Fecteau and her companion, Jerry Nadeau, of Biddeford, Veronica Mininni and her companion, Jerry Letellier, of Biddeford and Michelle Jamieson and her husband, Dan, of Biddeford; one brother, James A. Mininni and his wife, Jane, of Biddeford; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Rebecca M. Allen

Rebecca M. Allen, 49, of Biddeford, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough with her family by her side.

She was born April 22, 1961, in Vinalhaven to the late Oscar and Valerie (Orcutt) Allen.

She was a fish cutter who worked at Stinson in Rockland for several years and also worked on the docks in Portland and on ships in Alaska. In the past several years she completed her training as a CNA.

She was a loving and caring person who liked to surround herself with family and friends. She enjoyed listening to music and the ocean and often collected seashells along the way.

Survivors include her brother, Clyde Allen, and his wife, Lisa, of Washington; a niece, nephew, two great-nieces and her friend Sherill Cloutier of Portland.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Portland.

Rose Eva Roussel

Rose Eva Roussel, 85, of Biddeford, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

She was born July 20, 1925, in Biddeford to William J. and Rose Alma Cloutier Boucher and was educated in Biddeford schools.

She married Leo O. Roussel at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. He died April 15, 1994.

Mrs. Roussel worked several years at Landry’s Laundry in Biddeford and at Webber Hospital in Biddeford.

Survivors include one son, Richard W. Tobie and his wife, Song, of Hancock; one sister, Anita Underwood Berard of Biddeford; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Cindy L. Lachance

Cindy L. Lachance, 53, of Saco, died Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at her residence.

She was born April 17, 1957, in Biddeford to Paul and Jeannette Boudreau Montpas. She was educated at Biddeford High School.

She married her husband, Paul, on Feb. 1, 1974.

She loved being a homemaker and raising her daughter. She was employed by Biddeford Textile for years and most recently was a photo technician at Wal-Mart in Biddeford.

She enjoyed riding with her husband on his Harley but her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Paul, of Saco; her daughter, Merit Champagne and her husband, Chris, of Biddeford; one brother, David Montpas of Biddeford; two sisters, Peggy Thibault and her husband, Dan, of Biddeford and Kerry Hyde and her husband, Ethan, of Waterboro; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

A Biddeford woman arrested Monday by Biddeford police and Maine Drug Enforcement agents was carrying cocaine in her underwear.

Dawn Major, 44, was a passenger in a car stopped by police Monday night. She was on active bail conditions from a previous MDEA drug charge and was found to be under the influence and in possession of a small amount of cocaine, according to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Following the arrest, Major complained of a medical issue and was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for evaluation. Hospital staff found a wallet containing 8.8 grams of powder cocaine in her underwear, McCausland said.

The combined street value of the cocaine seized from Major is $1,100, according to police. Major was taken to York County Jail and charged with violation of bail and felony possession of cocaine. Other charges are possible, according to police.

McCausland said the MDEA has been investigating reports of cocaine trafficking in Biddeford and Saco. Agents had identified Major as a possible source of the drug, he said. The car she was riding in was stopped as part of a surveillance operation.