CARIBOU, Maine — Carlene J. Masse, 79, wife of the late Gerald J. Masse, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Cary Medical Center. Carlene was born November 18, 1937, in Van Buren, the daughter of the late David and Arthlene (Cyr) Ouellette. She was married to Gerald Masse for 55 years, and he preceded her in death on December 2, 2012.
After marrying Gerald on June 29, 1956, they moved to Connecticut to start their family. While in Connecticut, Carlene and Gerald had five children. Carlene was a busy mother raising her family and working in a spring factory. In those early years, while living in Connecticut, her children have fond memories of her taking them swimming, playing a game of baseball with them, and taking them ice skating at a pond near their home. After 18 years of living in Connecticut, Carlene and Gerald moved backed to Maine where they finished raising their family along with working several years at the local IGA.
Carlene was a longtime faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne since 1985, and served as president for 5 years. She volunteered at Cary Medical Center. She enjoyed crocheting, building puzzles, and playing cards with friends. She also cared for many sick loved ones. The last four years of her life were spent at the Caribou Nursing Home. She often said that her purpose for being there was “to teach them how to hug.” Carlene will forever be remembered for her genuine and unconditional love towards others. She indeed was a woman who loved much!
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Glenn and Connie Masse of Bowerbank, David Masse of Caribou, and Mark and Kim Masse of Sebec, two daughters and a son-in-law, Susan and Kerry Staples of Hollis, and Tammy Pooler of Presque Isle, eight wonderful grandchildren, Jessica Masse, Jenny and husband Tom Wohlfeil, Lance Masse, Olivia Staples, Logan Masse, Luke Masse, Kyle Pooler, and Reneé Pooler, one great-granddaughter, Asia Wohlfeil, one brother, Conrad Ouellette and his wife Rena, a former daughter-in-law, Patsy Masse, and a former son-in-law, Rodney Pooler. In addition to her parents and her husband, Gerald, she was predeceased by her siblings, Yvette Levasseur, Estelle Deschaine, Omerine Gagnon, Lawrence, Edwina, James, Daniel, Fernand, and Herman Ouellette.
Friends may call at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Saturday, March 25, 2017, from the Parish of the Precious Blood Sacred Heart Catholic Church, North Caribou. Following the Mass, there will be a time of continued fellowship and refreshments in the parish hall. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Friends and family who wish to contribute in memory of Carlene, may giving in her honor to the Caribou High School Scholarship Fund, where a nursing scholarship will be established in her memory, this is her/our way of giving back for all of the wonderful nursing care she received over the years. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
