AUGUSTA – Claudette (Deschaine) Wood, 69, loving wife of Arthur Wood, passed away peacefully Nov. 16, 2009, due to complications while waiting for a liver transplant. She was surrounded by her family when she passed away. Claudette was born April 1, 1940, in Fort Kent, to Arthur and Eveline Deschaine. She graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 1958. She spent several years in the community working as a telephone operator, waitress at Claude’s Restaurant and a clerk at W.T. Grant’s. Claudette later worked as a governess for U.S. Sen. Edmund S. Muskie, where she met her future husband. She married Arthur Wood, April 6, 1973, in Rockport. They made their home in Augusta and enjoyed winter vacationing at Parkway Village, Orlando, Fla., for many years. She enjoyed her work at Health-Tex, especially outfitting her many grandchildren. She later retired from Central Maine Power Co. Claudette was an active member of St. Michael Parish and a member of St. Agnes Circle No. 713 Daughters of Isabella since 2005. She was very involved in all of the activities where her openness and friendly nature and her, “I’m glad you asked me to help” attitude made her the special lady of the group. On June 11, 2009, the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women – Augusta District presented Claudette with a Certificate of Recognition for her outstanding service. On Oct. 24, 2009, at the 65th Biannual State Convention of the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Claudette was honored as the Special Lady Recipient and included in their booklet. She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Edmay Higgins; a nephew, Travis Grover; and a niece, Rita Lord. In addition to her loving husband of 36 years, she is survived by her sisters, June Voisine, Egline Charette and her husband, Ernest, of Fort Kent and Christine Grover and her husband, Ronald, of Ashland. Also surviving are her children, Stephen Wood and his wife, Patricia, Debra Hilt and her husband, Keith, Kimberly Cochran and her husband, William, Scott Wood and his wife, Jeannie, Jason Wood and his wife, Ellen, and Cathy Clark; 15 grandchildren, Nicole Hall, Timothy Wood, Seth Holmes, Andrew Holmes, Daniel Holmes, Jennifer Daigle, Jessica Hilt, Jason Hilt, Kendra Cochran, Michael Wood, Ryan Wood, Kelli Wood, John Wood, Matthew Clark and Sam Clark; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nephews, Tom, Joe, Arthur and David Higgins and Randy Grover; and niece, Connie Smith. She will be missed by many cousins, especially Sandra, Roland, Gloria, Robert and Rachel of Fort Kent; as well as many neighbors and friends that she made throughout the years. She will also be greatly missed by “Club 31” and those who made pilgrimages to Bangor for their special outings. Claudette is leaving us with fond memories, which will forever be etched in the many hearts that she touched. Go in peace, Claudette, and may God be with you for eternity. A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Augusta. A committal service will be immediately afterward at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Arrangements by Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at www.plummerfh.com.
CLAUDETTE (DESCHAINE) WOOD
