SPRINGVALE — Charlene May Vigue passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, Jan. 7, surrounded by her loving family.
Charlene was born on May 27, 1940, to William and Margaret Rancourt in Waterville. She received her high school diploma in 1958 from Mount Merici in Waterville.
When she married her husband, Robert Vigue, she worked as a phlebotomist, a job which she enjoyed very much. She provided financial support while her husband attended medical school in Burlington, Vermont. After he opened his medical practice in Sanford, she was there to help out in any way needed.
Everyone who knew her said she was the nicest person they had ever met. She always had a kind word, a shoulder to cry on and a large and generous heart. Charlene was a light and an inspiration to those who were close to her. Her positive attitude, courage and strength in the past ten years as she became more ill was awe-inspiring, and her courage and strength motivated many people.
She was unable to go out often and relied on the phone, mail, music, her six kitty cats and the Internet for her entertainment.
Her favorite music artist was Johnny Mathis and she went to well over 50 of his concerts during her lifetime.
She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and treasured spending time with her family. If she could offer a hand to help someone out, she would do it without hesitation. She loved to see people happy.
Charlene loved animals, even taking care of an abandoned baby squirrel at one point, to the delight of the neighborhood children. She left behind six kitty cats, which will miss her very much.
Her granddaughter, April, was by her side constantly while she was in the hospital and helped to care for her. Charlene and her granddaughter were very close. This is something that April wrote to her grandmother on July 6, 2014: “There is no one in the world that can bring my head back down to earth, make me see a different view, make me smile and laugh, encourage me, and make me feel so lovely and true besides my memere. I wouldn’t be here without her and her constant love, care, and support for me and Gabby. Love you more than I could tell you, and thank-you; I am truly special and blessed.”
Charlene is survived by: her husband of 53 years, Dr. Robert W. Vigue; her daughter, Mary Hoyt; her son, Gregory Vigue; her three grandchildren, Christopher O’Neil, April O’Neil and Corey O’Neil; her great-grandchild, Gabriella Butler; her brother Ronald Rancourt and sister-in-law Anna Rancourt; her brother-in-law, Ronald Vigue; her sister-in-law, Joyce Vigue; and nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
She is predeceased by: her younger brother, Daniel Rancourt.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 12th at 10 a.m. at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, Payne Street, Springvale. There will be a reception held immediately after the service at the St. Ignatius Cafeteria.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Kennebunk Animal Shelter in the following ways: mail to Kennebunk Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094; email to animalwelfaresociety.org; or contact Kerrie at 985-3244 ext. 12. Self-addressed stamped envelopes will be available at the church, near the guest book.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.
Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.