BANGOR and ORONO Mary Caritha LeClair Cyr Plourde, 81, died April 28, 2005, after a long illness. She was born Aug. 23, 1923, the daughter of Alfred and Phoebe LeClair of Orono. She graduated from Orono High School in 1941. Caritha was a gentle and kind person, whose warm personality drew people close. She had a wonderful gift of making everyone around her feel uniquely special and loved. Caritha was predeceased by her first husband, J. Willfrid Cyr of Lille, with whom she raised five children. She is survived by all her children and their families including David and Susan Cyr of Fredericksburg, Va., and their children, Beth Barbaro and Julie Adler, Judith Cyr and Medford Hogan of Berwick, Nova Scotia and her children, Matthew and Kate Cyr, Lauren and Scott Mullen of Raymond and her children, Sarah and Jessica Bercume, Kathleen and David Billings of Brewer and their daughter, Molly, Elaine and David Beaulieu of Bangor and their daughter, Natalie. She also had two great-grandchildren, Sam and Charlie Barbaro. Caritha was also predeceased by her second husband, Dr. Philip Plourde of Van Buren and a stepdaughter, Marcia Capeless of Quincy, Mass. She is survived by three stepchildren and their spouses including John and Suzanne Plourde of Auburn, Susan and Richard Calabrese of Billerica, Mass. and Charles and Linda Plourde of Van Buren as well as five grandchildren. Caritha is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Linwood and Verda LeClair of Bangor and Alfred and Jan LeClair of Old Town; a special cousin, Alfreda and her husband, Camille Morneault of Windham; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond and Henry LeClair; and a special cousin, John Mackin. Caritha’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Engle Place who lovingly cared for her for nearly eight years and to the 5th floor staff at EMMC who cared so compassionately for her in her final days. Friends may call 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2005, at Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2005, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 Main St., Orono, with the Rev. Joseph Koury, pastor, celebrant. A private interment will be in Mont Carmel Cemetery in Lille. Gifts memory of Caritha may be sent in her name to the Maine Special Olympics, 125 John Roberts Road, No. 19, South Portland, ME 04106.
MARY CARITHA LECLAIR CYR PLOURDE
