Charlene (Ambrose) Plourde

SKOWHEGAN – Charlene Plourde, mother, memiere, and matriarch, passed away at home surrounded by love on Dec. 22, 2024, at the age of 92. She was the queen of sass until the end.

Charlene was born in Dexter on June 2, 1932, the oldest daughter of Ovella and Adrian (Clukey) Ambrose. Growing up, she had a pet pig. She also had to rock her baby sister Ginny to sleep before she could go out on dates. Ginny was 15 years younger than Charlene, but as adults they were a delightful combination of mother-daughter, sisters, and best friends enjoying Bingo, shopping, horse-racing, Vegas, and card-playing adventures. Charlene played the violin, was in the school orchestra, and graduated from N. H. Fay High School in 1950. She also sang and yodeled her way to winning the Apple Annie crown.

Charlene’s Dexter roots moved to Skowhegan after meeting her future husband, Leon Plourde Jr., at the Strand Theater where he was an usher. He escorted her to her seat, then told a fellow usher he was going to marry her someday. He was true to his word even though Charlene didn’t make it easy. She was dating several guys and said she’d marry the first one to put a ring on her finger. Thankfully for their future children, Leon gave her a diamond first. The two were married on Groundhog Day in 1952 and “jitterbugged” through 51 years of marriage until he passed at the age of 71. They had four children Cathy, Lynn, Michael, and Charlene’s “baby” Stephen. Charlene almost died giving birth to Cathy and was told not to have any more children, but she refused to follow doctor’s orders and her other children were grateful.

Charlene worked at Depositor’s Trust (Key Bank) in Skowhegan for 47 years. She started in the bookkeeping department and then became the head bookkeeper before becoming a teller once the bookkeeping department was automated. As a teller, she “proved” her drawer every night even if she had to stay late. And speaking of “late,” when she was tardy for work, her co-workers drove to her house, woke her up, and told her to hurry because the boss was looking for her and they could only distract him for so long. She always claimed she wanted to be late to her own funeral. Charlene’s bank friends were like family to her and she developed many decades-long friendships with Christine, two Shirleys, Ginny V., Gale, and her niece Shelly, to name a few.

Charlene was also a partner in her husband Leon’s businesses, Plourde’s Market in Waterville and Char-Lee’s Donuts in Skowhegan. She took care of “the books,” but she also cooked lunches for the donut shop. She was known for her homemade bread, which made the best fry-pan toast. The last few years of Charlene’s life when she was heading down the dementia road, cooking remained part of her identity. She would check on her cake in the oven even though there was no cake and she hadn’t cooked in years. When told Christmas was coming a few days before she passed, she asked, “Oh, what should I cook?” Charlene had a wicked sweet tooth. She’d push her plate away after meals and say, “I’m full.” But when asked if she had room for dessert, she always said, “Of course!” as if that was a foolish question.

Charlene was a very good Cribbage player. She played every day until a few days before she passed. She also loved Bingo, where she made more lifelong friends. She brought gumdrops to share at Bingo. When someone said they had diabetes and couldn’t have gumdrops, she said, “No problem. I’ll lick the sugar off them for you.”

Charlene was a faithful member of Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church for many decades, as well as a member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Ladies of St. Anne, and a volunteer at St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen. She received Last Rites and went into hospice a few days before she passed. Ninety-two years is a long life. Still, she left a huge hole in her family’s hearts. She was a character and a half who kept everyone laughing and was adored by those who knew her. Not everyone can earn the title of matriarch, but she did in spades!

The family finds peace knowing Charlene has joined loved ones who passed before her, including her husband Leon; her son, Stephen; her parents; her brothers Richard and Clayton; her best friend, Christine; as well as many other family members and friends.

Charlene is survived by her daughters Cathy Ames and her husband Calvin of East Madison and Naples, Fla., and Lynn Plourde and her husband Paul Knowles of Winthrop, plus her son (and caretaker during her final years) Michael Plourde of Skowhegan. She is also survived by her sister, Ginny Metivier and brother-in-law Dick of Newport. She leaves behind her grandchildren Reagan Ames, Lucas (and Krista) Knowles, Seth Knowles (and Ben Gagnon), Kylee (and Matthew) Warden, Andrew Plourde, Matthew (and Chandra) Rourde; as well as her great-grandchildren, Kaida Ames, Beckett Knowles, Rosalie Rourde, and Baby Warden, whom she was so excited to learn about a few days before she passed and is due near her birthday in June. She will also be missed by her other family including Dick Plourde, Janet and Jimmy McGowan, Jeannine Plourde; plus many nieces, nephews; cousins; and friends.

There will be a funeral mass on Jan. 11, at 11 a.m., at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church on Water Street in Skowhegan, followed by a reception at Tewksbury Hall, Weston Ave., on the island.

Services are under the direction of Somerset Valley Remembrance Center. Condolences and memories may be shared on their memorial page for Charlene Plourde.

Please visit Charlene’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/charlene-plourde where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlene Plourde’s memory to

RFGH Breast Cancer Treatment Program,

P.O. Box 468,

Skowhegan, ME 04976

Charlene (Ambrose) Plourde