Kitty Goudreau spent nearly 35 years teaching English to seventh-grade students in Biddeford.  Today, her former students – including the police chief, a city councilor, a former mayor and local business owners –- all nearly trip over themselves with fond memories and high accolades for one of the city’s most beloved teachers.

Catherine “Kitty” (Hoyt) Goudreau, 82, was born and raised in Biddeford. She grew up with her extended family on Orchard Street and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1960.

In 1964, just after graduating from the University of Maine Orono with a degree in education, Kitty married a “Biddeford boy,” the late Bob Goudreau. The couple raised two children, Peggy and Robert.

She also served on the city council in the early 1980s, a time when old-school politics still dominated City Hall and disgruntled residents literally threatened to “break the mayor’s knee caps.”

Biddeford Police Chief Joanne Fisk described Goudreau as “the best human I know.”

Another former student, Joshua Lachance, said Goudreau was his favorite teacher.  

“She had high expectations and pushed us to give our best, but always made us laugh,” he said.

Goudreau said teaching seventh-grade students could be challenging.

“It’s a difficult age, but I understood their awkwardness. They were very gullible and believed everything I told them,” she said with a laugh. “Some of the boys would act up but they were all basically good kids.”

One of those boys who would “act up” was Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard.

“She was a truly wonderful teacher, and left a lasting impression with me,” Lessard recalled. “She was fair, but very firm. She really helped me become the person I am today.”

Lessard shared a funny anecdote about one of the pranks he pulled in Goudreau’s classroom.

“I put tiny pieces of chalk in her eraser,” he said. “That way, when she went to erase the blackboard, she would actually be making more marks on the blackboard. She knew exactly who the culprit was.”

Goudreau said she enjoys running into her former students.

“Whenever I go anywhere, they seem to appear out of the woodwork,” she smiled. “They often seem amazed that I remember them. But I’ve also gone to many of their funerals. (Pauses) That bothers me terribly. They were wonderful children.”

You taught 13-year-olds for more than three decades. Are kids today better or worse than they were when you started teaching in the 1960s?

“I have faith in the upcoming generation. Children haven’t really changed much at all. They need attention, discipline and understanding.

“I had students who ended up going to jail (Laughs), but the majority were wonderful kids. Some of them called me Mrs. Badreua instead of Mrs. Goudreau (Laughs) I loved it.”

You served on the city council in the 1970s and 1980s. What made you want to serve on the council?

“I didn’t really decide to run (Laughs) I was first approached out of the blue to run by Willie Pombriant who was on the council and wanted to be mayor.

“I lost my first election, but I didn’t give up. It was still a challenging time back then for women who wanted to be involved in politics. The first time I ran, a bunch of us who were running with Roger “Tiny” Frechette went to a meeting at a supporter’s home to discuss strategy.

“A lot of the wives came with us to that meeting for a night out. At one point, a gentleman said, “Now, Kitty why don’t you go into the kitchen with the other women? I just got up, looked at him, went into the kitchen and got my coat. I walked out the door, and they were all looking at me, trying to figure out what had happened.” (Laughs)

“I just thought I could give something back to my community.”

What was it like to serve on the council back then?

“Oh, it was a simpler time, except for the trash issue. We were facing a lot of pressure and fines after fines from the state about our landfill. It was becoming a very big problem.

“I was on the council that voted for the trash incinerator downtown. I still – even now – rue the day that I voted to approve that mess. It is one of my biggest regrets. We were told that there were no other solutions. It was a very big mistake. I was very glad to see it leave.”

Any fond memories of your time on the council?

“Local politics were a bit boisterous then and there was some humor in it (Laughs). I won’t give you any names, but we were dealing with a zoning issue and this fellow -- who owned quite a bit of land in that area -- was very angry about a possible zoning change.

“He threatened to break the mayor’s kneecaps if he didn’t get his way. A few days later, his attorney asked to meet with me. I went to his office, and he took a phone call. He talked and talked on the phone. So, I got up and told him I was leaving.

“I was walking to my car and thinking, gosh I hope no one is going to break my kneecaps. (Laughs).

As an English teacher, do you ever cringe when you hear bad grammar?

“Oh yes, there are things that grate on me. For example, when people say ‘between you and I’ it drives me over the edge. I don’t why it bothers me so.” (Laughs)

You also co-authored a children’s book.

“My very dear friend Dennis Twomey who has since passed away worked for Guy Gannett Publishing.

“Denny approached me because they promoted authors, and Gannett Publishing was looking for a story about the first American-bred dog, the Boston Terrier. I had a fascination with these dogs. My neighbor used to raise them, and I had one.

“His name was Boss, but in the book, he became Patch the Pup, which was Gannett’s decision, not mine. It took us about six months to write it. It was titled Patches the Pup: A Winter Adventure in Maine.

One of your former students says you and the lessons you taught him in your seventh-grade English class are the primary reasons he was able to get into Dartmouth and make his living today as a writer.

“Oh, I would not go that far (Laughs). I’m certainly glad that he enjoyed my class, but his success – anyone’s success – comes from determination and hard work. I’m just honored to be one of the people who helped him along the way.”

Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He is a retired newspaper editor and the principal of a small strategic communications consulting firm. He may be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.