WATERVILLE — The family of Laurette Ayotte of Sidney, which includes several Thomas College alumni, has donated an undisclosed sum to the school to name the new auditorium in Ayotte’s honor.

Ayotte, who was born in St. Agatha, enrolled at Aroostook State Teachers College in 1929. The Great Depression interrupted her acquisition of a college degree, and she began her teaching career to help support her family. She married Richard Ayotte in 1937, and they had 12 children. Widowed at 44 after her husband died of a heart attack, Ayotte resumed her teaching career.

Construction of the new auditorium-classroom building will begin in July. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 9.