WATERVILLE – Claire Helen Mailloux Dutil left her family for her next journey on Thursday, July 7, 2022. She was born on Sunday, May 12, 1935, in Waterville, to Henry and Anne Marie (Pelletier) Maillioux.

Claire graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1953. She was a beautiful lady with a wonderful laugh and a beautiful smile. Her fortitude, strength, and perseverance were immense. She was kind, generous, non-demanding and had immeasurable strength throughout her whole life right up until the end.

On May 12, 1956, Claire married Joseph “Bob” Dutil of Winslow. Their first child Cindy was born with cerebral palsy, and this began Claire’s unique journey of love, strength, and fortitude. She cared for Cindy in her home for 47 years. Their son Brian was born six years later. The family spent summers on Pattee Pond in Winslow. Claire was involved in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and football boosters and she canned vegetables from their garden each year.

In 1986, Claire’s dream of becoming a “Memere,” began. When Claire’s three grandchildren were young, she often cared and cooked for them while their parents worked. She loved to sew and knit. Her favorite things to bake were molasses cookies and whoopie pies which her family loved. She put her heart into every dish she made, and you could guarantee to never leave her table hungry. Her grandkids remember great hugs and kisses. Her husband Bob died in 2019, just 11 days after their 64th anniversary.

Claire is survived by her daughter Cindy Dutil of Oakland, son Brian and wife Linda (Clark) Dutil of Waterville; grandson Nicholas and wife Katie (London) Dutil of Sidney, grandson Jeffrey and wife Savanna (Dickey) Dutil of Winslow, granddaughter Kathryn (Dutil) and husband Thomas Hersom of Winslow; and her four very special great-grandchildren. Tessa Dutil, Jocelyn “Jocie” Hersom, Isabelle “Belle” Hersom, and Arlo Dutil. She is also survived by her sister Theresa and husband David Roy of Oakland, her brother-in-law John and wife Lorraine Dutil of Winslow, brother-in-law Hartley “Buzz’ Fernald of Winslow, and sister-in-law Therese Dutil of Fairfield.

Claire was predeceased by her parents; her husband Joseph “Bob”, her sister Collette and husband Joseph “Larry” Theriault, sister-in-law Patricia (Dutil) Fernald, brother-in-law’s Danny “Chi Chi” Dutil, and Louis “Pete” and wife Evelyn.

Per Claire’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral. A private graveside committal with immediate family will take place later this summer. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home 10 Elm Street, Waterville. For Claire’s full obituary, please visit http://www.gallantfh.com.

The family wants to thank the staff at Waterville Family Practice and especially to her doctor Julie Phelps; Claire’s friend and helper Inez; Hospice staff at Maine General, especially Claire’s nurse Regan. Also, thanks to her in-home beautician Kathy.

In Claire’s memory,

donations can be made to:

HOPE payable to

Erskine Academy

c/o HOPE.

309 Windsor Road

South China, ME 04358

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