A story by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center "Voices of Biddeford" project from 1920s to 2018
Voices of Biddeford interview with Geraldine Litalien on June 29, 2018
Born in 1926, Geraldine was a lifelong resident of Biddeford. As a young adult, she worked at the former Murphy's Music Store and Paquin & Carroll, Inc., where she met and then married Joachim "Joe" Litalien. After raising her five children, she found her musical and spiritual calling by serving as organist and choir director at St. Joseph Church. Over the next 30 years she played throughout neighboring parishes. She led both English and French choirs in church celebrations including Midnight and Easter Masses. She continued playing and singing at funerals throughout her retirement. She passed away on August 23, 2018 at the age of 92.
In this interview, Geraldine shares her recollections of writing to soldiers during World War II; how she met her husband from Quebec; the role of music in her life; the family restaurant, Hervey's Lunch and the fire of 1947.
Recorded on June 29, 2018
View a transcript of this interview, more pictures, and additional information.
For more stories from the "Voices for Biddeford" project, visit Voices of Biddeford.
Geraldine Litalien at age 28
Geraldine Litalien at her 90th birthday in January 2016
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