BUCKSPORT – Lori Pluard LeClerc passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the age of 48. Lori was born Dec. 22, 1962, in Bangor, the youngest child of Winifred (Harris) Orcutt of Charleston and Darrell Eugene Pluard Sr. of Smyrna Mills.
Lori’s journey in life, though perhaps short in years, was one enriched with love and passionate devotion to the three most important things in life – family, friends and faith. Her charming smile and childlike giggle will forever tug at the very heartstrings of those of us who knew and loved her so much. Growing up in Clewlyville surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, Lori was affectionately nicknamed “squeak” by her older brother Bub. She spent a few years on the move after her mom remarried to George Orcutt of Stockton Springs, before settling on Verona Island prior to high school. Lori graduated from Bucksport High School in 1982 lettering in track and married Michael LeClerc of Brewer on Valentines Day 1986. Lori’s strength in life was commitment to family and understanding the importance of this special bond. Just months after her marriage Lori lost her mother and at 24 she assumed the responsibility of ensuring the family came together at least once every year during the holidays. Lori and Mike opened their home to her siblings from away and even as the numbers grew, welcomed all with open arms. This tradition still remains an invaluable part of the lives of her siblings. This commitment became clear again some years later as her grandmother’s health began to deteriorate. Lori became her caregiver with daily drives to Bradley and occasional overnights became the norm as she assisted her Uncle Stanley and Aunt Dorraine in dealing with her grandmother’s fading health. Lori was a competitive spirit and loved sports, especially volleyball and softball. It was through softball when shortly
after
high
school
she met and formed a kindred friendship and special bond with the Ready family. As her brothers and sisters were off building their own lives, John and Karen, and their daughters, Kara and Kristen, and later including brother, Austin, they became an extension of her family. The friendship between Lori and Karen is one that cannot be put into words, and the love and devotion which Lori openly displayed toward Kara and Kristen was unwavering. Lori became their guardian angel, sitting, watching and admiring their love and zest for life – this became her passion. No matter the venue and regardless of location, the Ready girls always knew “Auntie” was somewhere close by, watching and cheering. All of us that loved her understood that Lori’s favorite hours were spent watching the “girls” play ball. Every bit as strong in her faith, Lori was a member of Evangelical Baptist Church, Bucksport. Not always active, yet there sat the Bible, resting open on her nightstand seemingly as evidence that to the end Lori understood the importance of her faith and keeping God close to her heart.
The spirit of Lori will live on in the hearts of a family who loved her: sister, Linda and her husband, Eric Estes, of Glenburn; brother, Darrell “Bub” Pluard Jr. and his wife, Georgia, of Dedham; brother, David Pluard and his wife, Kim, of Prospect; sister, Kim and her husband, Mark Hawes, of Levant; sister-in-law, Joanna and her husband, David Call, of Bangor; as well as many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. The spirit of Lori will live on in the hearts of friends who loved her, none more special in her life than the Ready family of Verona Island: Karen and John, and their son, Austin, and their daughter, Kara and her husband, Brian Staples; and her special friend, Maddy Cole of Bucksport. Lori was predeceased by her father, Darrell, in October 1979; followed by her mother, Winifred, in July 1986; and goddaughter, Kristen (Ready) Lessard, in July 2004.
A celebration of Lori’s life will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at the home of brother, Bub and wife, Georgia, 46 Thompson Road, Dedham. For directions, email Bub at bampieof6@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations on her behalf to CancerCare of Maine, 33 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, ME 04412. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bucksport.