Lene “Caroline” Christina (Fleischmann) Clark

AUGUSTA – Our beautiful, brave mother, Lene “Caroline” Christina (Fleischmann) Clark, 94, of Augusta entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Feb. 11, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on July 24, 1930, the daughter of Leola Valdora (Breton) Fleischmann and Gustav Fleischmann.

She graduated the 8th grade from St. Mary Catholic school in Bath, attended Morse High School and at the age of 16, graduated from Cony High School in 1947.

Caroline’s father tragically passed away when she was 2 years old and her mother when she was 13. Devastated, she and her grandparents moved to Riverside Drive in Augusta to live with her aunt, Dorothy (Breton) and uncle, George Stangle.

At a very young age, Caroline began working in her grandparents, Octave and Alma Breton’s variety store on Washington Street, in Bath. She was responsible for the tobacco counter – selling mostly to BIW workers during World War II – along with groceries and ice cream sales. She was part of a well-respected and well-known family.

While in high school, she was employed by Nicholson and Ryan Jewelers as a bookkeeper and sales representative. She was a bookkeeper for Woolworth Department store and a teller for KeyBank. She retired from the Maine Department of Labor after 33 years, at the age of 55, as a Senior Computer Programmer.

In retirement, she was employed as a bookkeeper for Burt’s Lock Shop and volunteered at Maine Greyhound Placement Service, MaineGeneral Medical Center and the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. Over the course of 15 years, she and her husband owned six greyhounds and fostered several others. She instilled her love of animals and the importance of benevolentness into all who knew her.

Caroline had a spirit of reverence for God. Even in the face of her own tragedy, Caroline prioritized the needs of others over her own. She was a member of St. Michael Parish, volunteering countless hours and serving the church in numerous capacities. In 2008, Caroline was the recipient of the St. Michael’s Award for her tireless work. She was a well-known fixture at St. Mary, St. Andrew and St. Augustine churches, serving as an Extraordinary Minister; altar server for masses and funerals (until almost 90 years old); head sacristan; St. Andrew Finance Committee; CCD teacher; president of the St. Andrew’s Church Council; RCIA facilitator; member of the choir; and organist. For decades, she brought the Eucharist to the homebound, volunteered at the local nursing homes and MGMC with her therapy dogs.

Caroline was predeceased by her parents; two infant sons, Joseph and John Meader; husband, Blaine; and brother, Paul.

She leaves behind children, Brian Mills, John Mills (Kathy) and Dorothy Bonsant (Tim); six grandchildren, Maeghan, Katherine, Amy, Cameron, Kimberly and Ally; and four great-grandchildren; her canine companion, Gracie.

She enjoyed several cruises with her husband, particularly visiting Bermuda. She enjoyed snowmobiling, camping and fishing. Her favorite places included her camps on Washington Pond and Moosehead Lake, Reid State Park, Popham Beach and seasonal camping on Sennebec lake. She often reminisced about the time she spent camping with brother Paul before he passed away.

Along with unwavering trust in God, she was a fiercely independent, strong-willed, and stubborn force to be reckoned with, which undoubtedly helped her manage life’s ups and downs.

She will be remembered for all the heart she shared with her family, church community, and friends. Those that knew her witnessed her love of God and family, especially her children. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes and have a choice to carry out meaningful acts as Christ modeled for us.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:31

The family would like to thank Maine Dartmouth Geriatric Medicine and Granite Hill Estates, Senior Living for compassionate care for Caroline. They would also like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers, specifically those who spent time with her and made her feel so loved.

Relatives and friends may visit on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will be held later in the spring at Calvary Cemetery, Bath.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at: http://www.plummerfh.com.

The family requests that donations in Caroline’s memory be made to:

Greyhound Placement Services

231 Old Belgrade Rd.

Augusta, ME 04330