Lauraine T. Pluto Obituary (1946 - 2011)

WEST BATH- Lauraine Thomas Pluto, 64, of Birch Point, passed away at home on Saturday, October 1, 2011 after battling pancreatic cancer. Lauraine was born November 25, 1946 in Beverly, Massachusetts, the daughter of Elmer B. "Tom” Thomas 3rd and Laura Catherine Cooney. She was raised in Rockport, Massachusetts and Brunswick, graduating from Brunswick High School in 1965 and from Bates College in 1968. After college, and married with two sons, she moved to Arizona. As that marriage ended, she returned home to Maine and spent the majority of her life in her adopted state. Lauraine spent her life raising her children and devoting herself to the activities pursued by her family. These efforts included years of working with the then Brunswick Music Theater, attending many seasons of soccer games, and serving as president of the Skating Club of Brunswick for several years. It was through a chance meeting while skating that Lauraine met the love of her life, Joseph Pluto. She and Joseph were married on May 5, 1977. After marrying Joseph, then a naval officer, she traveled to Bermuda, the Azores, and the Philippines. Lauraine enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitching, drawing, berrying, watching all kinds of performing arts, and fishing. Her love of flowers left a legacy of both amazing gardens in all of the places she lived and a love of nature to her many friends and family whom she mentored. She was also skilled at archery and riflery. An accomplished seamstress, she even made her own wedding dress. Lauraine served for years as a dance and figure judge for the US Figure Skating Association. Later in life, her civic duties included assisting West Bath as an election clerk and hosting the Birch Point Village Corporation annual meetings in her home. Lauraine was a member of the Mayflower Society. Lauraine is survived by her husband of over 34 years, Joseph and their daughter, Laurie Pluto of Hebron, Maine, her partner Jason Strong, and his children Joanna, Jordan, and Spencer. She also leaves behind her two sons, Jim Gameros of Gray, Maine and his partner, Karen Hall; and Bill Gameros of Dallas, Texas, as well as daughter-in-law Kathryn Gameros, and granddaughters Zoë, Isabel, and Nina, whom she loved dearly. She also made many valued friends throughout her life. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday November 12th at 10:00 AM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, ME. A reception will follow at the Stetson’s Funeral Home Reception Center. Burial will follow at 1PM at Oak Grove Cemetery, Bath, ME. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to any of the following: Maine State Music Theater, 22 Elm Street, Brunswick, ME 04011; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; or the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, 10 High St., Suite 301, Lewiston, ME 04240. Memorial condolences may be expressed and a video tribute viewed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com