Obituary for Carolyn Mae Gile (Plummer)
Carolyn Mae Plummer Gile
October 19, 1938 – January 30, 2023
Carolyn M. Gile (84) of Alfred, Maine, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away after a brief illness at Southern Maine Healthcare with her family by her side.
She was born in Springvale, Maine to Herman Luther Plummer and Bernice Alma Littlefield Plummer.
Carolyn grew up at her family farmhouse on Hanson’s Ridge in Springvale. She graduated from Sanford High School in 1957.
She met her husband, Bruce Gile at a Sanford High School dance. They were married on June 11, 1960 and shared 60 wonderful years together. After living in Connecticut and abroad in Scotland where Bruce was stationed in the Navy, Carolyn resided for 57 years at the home that she and Bruce built on Gile Road in Alfred.
Carolyn’s first job was working as a legal secretary for a local lawyer. She later began her career in banking at Springvale National Bank where she held several positions prior to working her way up to Branch Manager. Following that, she was instrumental in several mergers with larger banks, and she completed her career as Vice President of Operations at Key Bank of Maine, retiring in 1998.
Carolyn was initially a member of the Massabesic Lioness Club until it combined with the Massabesic Lions Club. During her years, she held many positions in her local club including Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President. She served a term as District Governor of Lions District 41. She was Campaign Manager for a fellow Lion who was elected to International Director. She was Lion of the Year in 2008/2009 for Lions District 41. She was heavily involved in many of Massabesic Lions club and district activities, including but not limited to Monday night Bingo, Monthly Bean Suppers, Maine Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation’s children’s screenings in local schools, the local and regional Speak Out events, Blood Drives, and the local and regional Peace Poster project. In addition to many local and district awards, she was honored with two Progressive Melvin Jones Fellows.
Over the years, Carolyn was a member of the SAD 57 School Board, several Alfred town committees, as well as various other local clubs.
Carolyn was the center of our family and will be dearly missed. She was an excellent mother who was always supportive and encouraging of her children. She was her sister, Donna’s, partner-in-crime as they embarked on many adventures. Her favorite role was that of “Grammy” to her only grandson, Caleb.
She was predeceased by her husband, Bruce G. Gile; parents, Bernice Littlefield Plummer and Herman Plummer; brother, Howard Plummer; brother-in-law, Edward Binette; brother-in-law, Wayne Gile; and sister-in-law, Muriel Fletcher Gile.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Brenda L. Gile, Julie D. Gile Canning and her husband Colin F. Canning, Jr. (Coco), and Glen S. Gile; her grandson, Caleb G. Gile; her sister, Donna Plummer Binette; sister-in-law, Donita Sanford Plummer; brother-in-law and wife, Alden and Sylvia Gile; sister-in-law, Joyce Watson Gile; brother-in-law, Keith Gile; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Carolyn on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Massabesic Lions Den (813 D Main Street, Waterboro, Maine 04087) where we will start with a brief Lions Club ceremony (the Lions Attendance Roll Call) followed by time to visit with her family & friends, and share in some light refreshments.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared at Carolyn’s Book of Memories at www.bibbersautumngreen.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massabesic Lions Club (address above).
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., in Alfred.
October 19, 1938 – January 30, 2023
Carolyn M. Gile (84) of Alfred, Maine, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away after a brief illness at Southern Maine Healthcare with her family by her side.
She was born in Springvale, Maine to Herman Luther Plummer and Bernice Alma Littlefield Plummer.
Carolyn grew up at her family farmhouse on Hanson’s Ridge in Springvale. She graduated from Sanford High School in 1957.
She met her husband, Bruce Gile at a Sanford High School dance. They were married on June 11, 1960 and shared 60 wonderful years together. After living in Connecticut and abroad in Scotland where Bruce was stationed in the Navy, Carolyn resided for 57 years at the home that she and Bruce built on Gile Road in Alfred.
Carolyn’s first job was working as a legal secretary for a local lawyer. She later began her career in banking at Springvale National Bank where she held several positions prior to working her way up to Branch Manager. Following that, she was instrumental in several mergers with larger banks, and she completed her career as Vice President of Operations at Key Bank of Maine, retiring in 1998.
Carolyn was initially a member of the Massabesic Lioness Club until it combined with the Massabesic Lions Club. During her years, she held many positions in her local club including Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President. She served a term as District Governor of Lions District 41. She was Campaign Manager for a fellow Lion who was elected to International Director. She was Lion of the Year in 2008/2009 for Lions District 41. She was heavily involved in many of Massabesic Lions club and district activities, including but not limited to Monday night Bingo, Monthly Bean Suppers, Maine Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation’s children’s screenings in local schools, the local and regional Speak Out events, Blood Drives, and the local and regional Peace Poster project. In addition to many local and district awards, she was honored with two Progressive Melvin Jones Fellows.
Over the years, Carolyn was a member of the SAD 57 School Board, several Alfred town committees, as well as various other local clubs.
Carolyn was the center of our family and will be dearly missed. She was an excellent mother who was always supportive and encouraging of her children. She was her sister, Donna’s, partner-in-crime as they embarked on many adventures. Her favorite role was that of “Grammy” to her only grandson, Caleb.
She was predeceased by her husband, Bruce G. Gile; parents, Bernice Littlefield Plummer and Herman Plummer; brother, Howard Plummer; brother-in-law, Edward Binette; brother-in-law, Wayne Gile; and sister-in-law, Muriel Fletcher Gile.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Brenda L. Gile, Julie D. Gile Canning and her husband Colin F. Canning, Jr. (Coco), and Glen S. Gile; her grandson, Caleb G. Gile; her sister, Donna Plummer Binette; sister-in-law, Donita Sanford Plummer; brother-in-law and wife, Alden and Sylvia Gile; sister-in-law, Joyce Watson Gile; brother-in-law, Keith Gile; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Carolyn on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Massabesic Lions Den (813 D Main Street, Waterboro, Maine 04087) where we will start with a brief Lions Club ceremony (the Lions Attendance Roll Call) followed by time to visit with her family & friends, and share in some light refreshments.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared at Carolyn’s Book of Memories at www.bibbersautumngreen.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massabesic Lions Club (address above).
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., in Alfred.