Vergie (Norwood) Plourde

SKOWHEGAN – Vergie (Norwood) Plourde, a lifelong resident of Skowhegan, passed away on Sept. 12, 2024, at the age of 85. Vergie was the daughter of Vernice (Sites) Maheu and Maynard Norwood, who both predeceased her.

Vergie was raised by three generations of strong, resilient women (mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother) who overcame their own adversity to provide her with a humble home filled with love, kindness, creativity, and laughter. In addition, she was blessed with a special uncle, Leland “Skeeter” Sites, who served as a father figure during her early childhood. Vergie graduated from Skowhegan Area High School in 1957 and was voted “loveliest lady” by her classmates. She continued to attend several class reunions over the years and assisted with the planning and preparation by acting as their treasurer.

Vergie married Richard “Dick” Plourde after a four-year courtship. Their 67 years of marriage represent their true love story. Vergie and Dick had five children within seven years, and along the way, they started a family business (Dick’s Market) on North Avenue in Skowhegan. Vergie was able to balance the needs of her family while working side by side with her husband. Their success outgrew their space but enabled them to build a larger store in 1976 that they operated together until 2002.

Vergie and Dick were active members of the Skowhegan Elks Lodge and Women’s Elks Auxiliary during the 1970s and ’80s. Their memberships with the Elks allowed them to travel to various conventions throughout Maine and other parts of the United States. Vergie was often the lead caterer and hostess, the “first lady” during Dick’s term as the Exalted Ruler, and was voted “Mother of the Year” by the Elk’s members during that same time period.

Vergie had a near-death medical illness in 1996 that resulted in partial amputations of both feet. Like so many other challenges in her life, she pulled through that tragedy without complaint and somehow became even stronger. After receiving her recent cancer diagnosis, she humbly stated that although she had hoped to live longer, she had been lucky to live nearly 30 extra years after that illness.

Vergie and Dick Plourde’s home on Greenwood Avenue was a magical home base for all their family members and close friends. Long summer days were spent by the pool. Christmas Eve gatherings spilled into a large living room and presents filled adjacent rooms. Thanksgiving meals were not complete until you had Mem’s Jello mold, olive salad, and stuffing. Vergie loved every moment that her family was together and as it became late in the day and a gathering was about to end, she would often say “Do you have to leave already?” Generations of people still reach out to Vergie and Dick’s children and grandchildren and ask, “How is Mem and Pep?” Vergie and Dick spent their retirement years in their smaller home on Mary Street in Skowhegan. The gatherings continued with less frequency but never lost the magic that only Mem and Pep could make.

Vergie may be best remembered for her quick-wit, famous “zingers” and ability to deliver any type of message with just a certain look over her glasses, an eye roll, or an occasional well-placed swear word that definitely caught your attention. If you met Vergie and had a chance to speak with her for even a few moments, you never forgot her.

Vergie was predeceased by her daughters Diane Godin and Amy Bowman. Her daughters were spiritually present during the final moments of her passing. They helped her take her final breath; they opened her eyes to her new paradise, and they shined down on her with sunshine as she left this world. Thank you, DiDi and Amy Jo; we know that you will take good care of Mumma until we see you all again.

Vergie is survived by her own village of people that include her devoted and loving husband, Richard “Dick” Plourde who not only shared a lifetime with her but worshiped the ground she walked on. Dick is moving forward as she has asked and soaking up the love that surrounds him, but he knows he will not feel complete until they are back together once again.

Vergie is also survived by her children and grandchildren Eric, Josh, Everly and Abel Plourde, Jolene Plourde, Erin, Brian, Owen, Harrison and David McAllister, Larry and Katie Godin, Terri, Darick, Charlotte and Josie Herald. Lisa and Brent Duguay, Jackie, Patrick, Leah, and Hallie McDonough. Lauren, Brandan, and Eli Beane. Billy, Stacy, Ashley, Adam, Kaley, Gracelynn, Silas Bowman, and Ronan Mack; forever family members Donna Plourde and Irwin Lagasse; sister and brother, Debbie, and Stephen Maheu; forever sisters and brother Charlene Plourde, Jeannine Plourde, Janet, and Jim McGowan; many many nieces, nephews, and cousins; special friend, Debbie Clark.

Services will be directed by Smart and Edward’s Funeral Home located on 19 Washburn Lane in Skowhegan on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.

Please visit Vergie’s memorial page at https://smartandedwardsfh.com/obituaries/vergie-plourde-2024 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

Somerset Humane Society,

P.O. Box 453,

Skowhegan Maine

in memory of Vergie E. Plourde.