Aino A. Drouin

Naples, FL - Aino Aulikki Drouin, 78, of Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026, with family by her side at Portsmouth Regional Hospital after a short illness. Aino was born in Helsinki, Finland, on August 24, 1947. Following the end of World War II, she immigrated to the United States with her parents and sister to join family in New York. Shortly thereafter, they moved to West Sumner, Maine, and eventually settled in West Paris, where they were embraced by a thriving and caring Finnish community. Many of the family’s close friends became known as “Aunts” and “Uncles” to a young Aino. She attended school in West Paris and graduated from Oxford Hills High School with the Class of 1965, where she was active in many activities, including basketball and piano. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Southern Maine on a mathematics scholarship. While living in Portland, she met her “true love,” Paul, on a blind date. They married, started a family, and made their first home on Brown Street in Westbrook. Later, Aino had the opportunity to return to her childhood property in West Sumner and be closer to her parents. While building their home on the shores of Pleasant Pond and raising their children, she held many positions in the Oxford Hills area, including Perham’s Mineral Store, several local banks, Margo’s Fashions, and Travis Realty. When their youngest child graduated from high school, Aino and Paul traded their large family home for a cozy log cabin on the shores of Pleasant Pond, next door to her sister’s camp. After a few long Maine winters, they became snowbirds, splitting their time between Maine and Florida. Aino especially enjoyed her winter sales position at Zazou in Naples, Florida. In 2014, they sold their Maine home and became full-time Florida residents. Aino was an artist from a very young age, taking art lessons and continuing throughout her life to find joy in painting, quilting, crocheting afghans, reupholstering furniture, creating intricate beaded jewelry, and sharing her artistic gifts with others. Her creations will continue to be treasured by those who were fortunate enough to receive them. Gardening was another lifelong passion. From her earliest years, she found great joy in cultivating vegetables to feed her family and nurturing flowers and plants that brought beauty and color to every home she created. Some of Aino’s most treasured moments were the summers spent at Pleasant Pond with her grandchildren, family, and friends, filled with days by the water, cookouts, birthday celebrations, laughter, and countless special moments. Aino is survived by her son, Christopher Drouin and wife Lorianne of Gig Harbor, Washington; her daughter, Jennifer "JJ" Conant and husband John of Monmouth, Maine; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several beloved nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and her beloved cousin, Julia, with whom she shared cherished memories. She was predeceased by her parents, Kaleb and Martta Halme; her husband, Paul Drouin; her sister, Myra Halme Miles; and her brothers-in-law, Donald Miles and Armand Gouzie. Aino will be remembered by so many as a kind-hearted, warm soul whose family, friends, and even strangers were drawn to her caring nature. Her genuine compliments, thoughtful kindness, and ability to make everyone feel valued left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her. in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Finnish American Heritage Society, 8 Maple St, West Paris. ME. 04289 or online by clicking here. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Aino A. Drouin

August 24, 1947 - May 26, 2026