Eileen L Pleau

Winslow – Eileen Pleau, 79, of Winslow passed away on October 15th, 2016 to be with the Lord. Eileen was a remarkable woman. From the early age of three she was saddened to lose her mother. Her and her late sister Yvette Clark found themselves often fending for themselves. Even though faced with the tragedy of losing their mother, Eileen grew to become an amazing woman. Eileen married her husband, Lionel, and was blessed with having six children, each of whom was special to her in every way. Her oldest son Michael and his wife Jill of Vassalboro would give her tremendous joy with bringing into the family their sons Ryan, Michael and daughter Denyelle. Michael would turn out to be her only boy and she loved him dearly. Michael would concern the family by taking trips after work to visit his mother regularly in the hospital, returning home late, only to have to wake very early to return to work. He frequently brought her meals and always made sure Eileen was cared for. Michael was very handy and you might say he would grow to become his mother’s handyman over many years, since their father’s passing in 1997. He never complained and valued all the time he spent with his mother. The remaining five children would be girls and the house was never lacking for noise. Her daughter Angela, who lives in Waterville at the Quarry Road Residential Center, would speak with her several times daily on the phone spending quality time on the weekends with her mother. Angela would make sure daily chores were always being done. Lisa Nelson and her husband Vince of Thorndike blessed Eileen with their daughter Desiree’ Nelson and from a previous marriage a son, Nathan Hamblet. Lisa assisted her mother with financial matters and helped Eileen stay organized and up to date while also going through medical struggles with one of her grandchildren at the same time.

Her daughter Paula Pooler (wife of Carleton Pooler) of Winslow, would prove to be an Angel, driving Eileen back and forth to doctor’s appointments on a regular basis all the while performing her duties as the financial director for AOS 92 and caring for her family. A task many of us never want but Paula handled the pressure with grace and dignity. They blessed Mrs. Pleau with a daughter Ashley who when her grandmother could not stay in her home, graciously welcomed Eileen to live with her until she regained her strength to go back home. Her daughter Mary Greene and Robert of Freeport gave Eileen joy with their daughter Nicolette Greene Sennett and son Trevor Greene. Mary would be torn with knowing her mother was extremely ill and also needing to be available to her only daughter Nicolette who was getting married on October 15th. Eileen was trying desperately to attend the wedding as it meant so much to her, strongly encouraging her doctor to do whatever possible to make this happen. Eileen passed away 1 ½ hours before the wedding. Eileen wanted all her children to attend that wedding as in her whole life selflessly, wanted the best for the family. With extreme sadness but at the same time, overwhelming joy, Mary’s entire family blessed her by being there for her and her daughter. A true gift they also gave to their mother. Her daughter Cherry Frewin of Florida (husband Wes Frewin) gave comfort to her siblings by coming home to Maine and staying with Eileen on more than one occasion enjoying the one on one time with her mother. Exhausted with travel, never uttering a word of discontentment. Cherry had two children Nolan Southard and Arielle Tuttle and two stepchildren, Danielle Frewin Rukundo and Michel Frewin.

Now that you have become familiar with her family let’s take time to share who Eileen really was. Eileen was the strongest woman that anyone would be honored to know, leaving a legacy for her children to carry on and pass down to the next generation. The hardships and pain that Eileen would endure through her lifetime only made her stronger and become the wonderful mother she was. Eileen worked at Inland Hospital for 37+ years. A hard and dedicated employee and friend to her coworkers. Eileen rarely would ever miss work. A work ethic she valued and passed down to her children. She loved her job and in fact, even after she so-called retired continued to work on a regular basis. She enjoyed being at work and truly valued the friendships she had made daily. In fact, Deb Johnson of Inland Hospital never filled Eileen’s position so Eileen could return to her job, all the while knowing the job needed to be filled.

You would seldom see Eileen without a book in her hand. She loved reading novels and it was her favorite thing to do in the evening before settling in for the night. Eileen enjoyed playing bingo on Sunday’s with her two daughters, sometimes her granddaughter and a true friend from Waterville High School. Recently, being introduced to the Bangor slots Eileen found herself enjoying a past time she was never familiar with in her early life and grew to look forward to taking trips to Bangor. Eileen would never become a rich woman, but was rich in character and had so many qualities most of us would only dream of having. She loved her family, her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and carried a special place in her heart for her niece Donna Dunton of Bangor. Special thanks to Amber Keithan for being there for the family so they could attend the wedding.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 19, from 5-7 p.m. at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St. Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 20, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist, 26 Monument St. Winslow. Burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St. Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Eileen’s memory to: Alfond Center for Cancer Care Giving, Maine General Health, Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903

The following Eulogy was given by Wes Frewin at Eileen's Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Winslow, Maine on Thursday October 20, 2016.

To Michael, Angela, Lisa, Paula, Mary, & Cherry and to the family and friends of Eileen Pleau, welcome to this time of reflection of Eileen’s life and celebration of the legacy and memories she left for us to cry about, to laugh about, and to forever influence our lives.

My name is Wesley Frewin; I became a proud and overwhelmingly privileged member of the Pleau family when I married Cherry 17 years ago on October 16, 1999. I am deeply honored to have been asked to offer this Eulogy for Eileen Pleau; whom I will hereinafter refer to as “mom”.

When I first met mom 20+ years ago, it was not long before Mrs. Pleau became mom. Her warmth and love for her daughter Cherry, quickly spilled over to me and it seemed more appropriate that she should be addressed as mom.

The Bible (in The Proverbs, Chapter 31) speaks of those characteristics of a prized women; referring to her as “…one that is capable and praised”. As a got to know Cherry and her siblings more and more, the more I got to know mom. She was clearly a woman that was a blessing to them and a fortress of strength in times of hardship, trouble, and sadness. She was clearly a rock not only in her passion for life, but also in her faith.

Proverbs 31 also describes this prized woman as one who “…does her work with eager hands…” Who can argue these words as words belonging to mom when you look back at the 6 beautiful children she raised, the husband she remained committed to for 42-years until his passing in 1997, and worked outside the home to support her family for more than 37-years. To the latter, she made it clear to her doctor and her family that she would be returning to work on Monday (that is, Monday of this week). Throw on top of that, she always found time for grandchildren and great grandchildren; never saying no to the opportunity to celebrate birthdays and holidays, even when it meant traveling halfway across the country. Lastly, she would sometimes find time for herself, perhaps relaxing with a good book in her hands or maybe even a night out for a few games of Bingo.

Mom’s life began in very humble beginnings, growing up poor and losing her mother at age 3. Her humble beginnings were not an obstacle, but a strength; putting that strength into action in many ways such as:

• knitting mittens and scarfs to ensure her children were warm through the winter months

• making homemade Barbie Doll clothes

• attending the many sporting events; including chaperoning on several occasions

• growing her own vegetables

• teaching herself to type knowing this was a valued skill she would need to enter the workplace

• obtaining her driver’s license on the same day as her son Michael in order to transport herself to and from work.

Yet through it all, her dependency was on God and her faith as a devout Catholic, finding a spiritual home here at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Her children have many fond memories of the joy mom brought into their lives such as:

• Homemade grape jelly, made from grapes grown at their home on the Garland Road

• Homemade donuts

• Homemade french fries and pickled eggs

It was no wonder their home became a frequent gathering place for family and friends.

The Proverbs, Chapter 31 goes on to state, “Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed…” God truly blessed mom with the strength and determination to provide for her children and to live a life that was full of joy; joy that you could not help but be influenced by when she was around. Mom in turn was an immense blessing to her children; the memories above clearly demonstrate that. This blessing will not end with mom’s death; instead, it will remain with us, to be shared with our children and grandchildren as well.

In conclusion, verses of scripture from 2 Timothy, Chapter 4 and Revelation, Chapter 21 are truly fitting as a memento of mom:

• Although the time has come for me to depart, I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; All there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.

• For on that day, He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain.

Michael, Angela, Lisa, Paula, Mary, & Cherry, look to God first for daily strength and guidance as He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” I encourage you to seek God during the many difficult times which will follow and to also seek Him in times of laughter as you reflect on the many fond memories of mom. I love you all.

Wes