Patricia E. Plante

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Patricia E. Plante, 87, of Old Orchard Beach, passed away peacefully at her home on June 3, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Patricia, fondly known as “Pat” and “Patti,” was born in Bath, Maine, on Jan. 9, 1939, to Gertrude Edith (Galloupe) and Joseph D. Pennell, Sr. Her early years were spent in Bath and Biddeford, and she moved to Ocean Park in 1943. Her father Joe passed away in 1947, leaving Gertrude a single mother with Pat and her older sister, Ann.

In 1957, she graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School, participating in various activities, and began working for the New England Telephone Company the week after her graduation.

Patricia married her high school sweetheart, Jerome, in 1961, whom she had started dating when she was a freshman and he a senior. While Jerome was completing his degree from the University of Maine at Orono, Patricia continued to work for New England Telephone in Bangor. In 1964, they returned to Old Orchard Beach and started a family.

When she felt the kids were old enough, Pat returned to work as a Teaching Assistant for the Special Education program at the Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach, where she made many close friends. After 23 years at Loranger, she retired at 65 and began her next journey as a doting grandmother to her grandchildren and, eventually, great-grandchildren.

Patricia is survived by her son, Scott, of Los Angeles; her daughter, Andrea E. Perrone and husband Michael of Old Orchard Beach; her daughter, Lisa M. Bushman and husband Michael of South Glens Falls, N.Y.; and son Dean A. Plante and wife Tracy of Old Orchard Beach. Patricia is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dr. Patricia R. Plante and wife Mary-Ann Myrant of Palo Alto, Calif.; her brother-in-law, Richard E. Plante and wife Carol, of Dover, N.H.; and her nieces Suzanne Pennell, of Stoughton, Mass.; Valerie Gagnon, of Dover, N.H.; and nephew Christopher Plante of Tucson, Ariz.

She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, (Vanessa Mansur, Michael Perrone Jr., Dean Perrone, Cody Perrone, Santino Perrone, and Levi Perrone; Derek Bushman and Sarah Bushman; and Haley Plante, Brianna Fregeau, Shani Plante, and Brady Plante); and 10 great-grandchildren, (Brayden, Brooklyn, and Braxten Mansur; Treyton and Amaya Perrone; Anthony and Tatum Perrone; and Carter, Lincoln, Jaxon, and Cooper Perrone; and Lucas Fregeau). At the time of her passing, she was eagerly waiting to find out whether her latest great-grandchild would be a boy or a girl.

She was predeceased by her husband Jerome, in February 2025. She was also predeceased by her sister Ann Provencal and her brother Joseph Jr., and their spouses.

Pat will be remembered with deep love and gratitude by all who knew her, and most especially by the family who was the center of her world. She leaves behind a legacy of patience and selfless love that will continue to guide and comfort those who hold her close in their hearts.

Visiting Hours will be 4-7 p.m., on Monday, June 8, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11a.m., Tuesday, June 9, at St. Margaret’s Church, Old Orchard Beach.

Arrangements are by Cote’s Funeral Home, Saco.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.