Charlene Marie Hamilton

PEMBROKE – Charlene Marie (Perkins) Hamilton, 61, was unexpectedly called to Heaven on June 12, 2012 with her loving family all by her side. Charlene was born March 2, 1951 in Calais. She grew up in Cooper. Charlene attended Lee Academy and graduated with honors in 1969. Shortly after graduation she moved to Massachusetts where she met her wonderful, loving, and caring husband Larry. They were married October 16, 1971 and raised two amazing children. They returned to Maine in 1998. She loved living in Maine and enjoyed spending her time with her children, grandchildren, and their three dogs who were more like their children. Charlene was a strong woman who always worked hard her entire life, even overcoming most obstacles of a debilitating stroke in 1990 and defeating a diagnosis of lung cancer in 2010. Charlene’s will to survive and live life was evident until the very end and her internal strength and desire to succeed will always remain an inspiration to those who loved her the most and those values have been passed down to her children and grandchildren. Charlene was a generous woman who will be deeply missed each moment of the day for eternity by those closest to her and we all can only hope to rejoin her someday. She was predeceased by her parents Norman and Dorothy Perkins, a brother-in-law, Ray Gilchrest, and a sister-in-law Holly (Hamilton) Carmichael. She will be deeply missed by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, Lawrence Hamilton of Pembroke; son, Darrin and his wife Heather of Baileyville; daughter Erin and her husband, Joe Walsh of Leominster, MA; sister Lorraine (Perkins) Gilchrest of Meddybemps; three beloved grandchildren, Tova and Kaylin Hamilton of Baileyville and Ryan Walsh of Leominster, MA; mother-in-law, Hazel Hamilton of Lancaster, MA; her two cherished companions, Lizzie and Lulu; many nieces, nephews and other special family members. A graveside service for family and friends will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 30th at Clarkside Cemetery in Pembroke. A gathering will be held at the Meddybemps Community Center following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or www.cancer.org. Services are in the care of Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.