CARIBOU, Maine – It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Claudine ‘Red’ Helen Olmstead, 94, on February 21, 2018, surrounded by most of her children at Redington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan. She was born in Caribou on October 26, 1923, the daughter of the late Sanger E. and Neva B. (Cory) Maxwell.
Claudine graduated from Caribou High School in 1941. After working for a short period of time in Manchester, Connecticut, she returned to Caribou and in 1942 married Philip Olmstead and together they farmed for a number of years. She worked for a number of years at the S&H Green Stamps in Caribou and Presque Isle and Fitzgerald Office Supply in Caribou.
Claudine was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star for a number of years and held most of the offices, including Worthy Matron. She was awarded her 50 year pin for her service. She was a member of the United Baptist Church of Caribou.
In addition to her parents, Claudine was predeceased by her husband, Philip; brother, Lloyd Maxwell; sister, Cora Pangburn; and half-sister, Marie Howe, half-brothers, Nason Maxwell, Gordon Maxwell, and Delmer Maxwell; and sons-in-law, Vincent R. Gonska and Donald L. Scott. She is survived by a sister, Marjorie J. (Maxwell) Woodward of Hallowell, half-sisters, Shirley Pelkey and Nancy Kummer, two sons, Philip and Louise (Cote) Olmstead of Fort Fairfield, and Gregg and Irene (Russell) Olmstead of Lumberton, TX, three daughters, Nancy Gonska of Windham, Shari and Teddy Dyer of Madison, and April and Rick Stairs of Wolcott, Conn., eleven grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends wishing to remember Claudine may do so by donating in her memory to the Caribou United Baptist Church, 74 High School, Caribou, Maine 04736, or Halfway Home Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 488, Caribou, Maine 04736. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, Maine. Interment will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
