Marie Louise (Gladu) Trott

Marie was born in Portland October 14, 1942 the second of seven children.

Marie was married to Waldo Trott on August 31, 1959 and soon began raising a family of nine children; they resided on Munjoy Hill their entire married life. Marie worked at many jobs throughout her life, most notably the Jewish Home for the Aged where Marie was an LPN and she would bring home elderly patients for an afternoon to let them watch a ball game on TV or join the family for a meal or just because they had no one else. She felt so passionate about the elderly; Jordan Meats where she made many lifelong friendships and became an advocate for her fellow employees and the Maine Youth Center where she became an adopted mother of sorts to so many youths that she wanted to take them home and care for them. Marie was always a part of the “Events committees” in all of her jobs, planning and making sure everyone always had a good time at the company Christmas parties, company outings and other celebrations.

Marie also founded the Munjoy Hill Mothers Club Christmas Party in 1977, born out of her own struggles as a child of poverty and not having much for holidays. Marie did not want other children to have to feel sad during the holidays as she had at times. Her first party was small and she was only able to buy coloring books and crayons for 25 children, but she had some friends dress as Santa Claus and Frosty the snowman and her own children dressed as elves to give those children a Christmas party filled with fun.

Her Christmas parties evolved through the years, some years with 100+ children, and Santa Claus was always there with gifts, food and a tradition from day one- a Polaroid picture of each child sitting with Santa and receiving a gift. The past few years were a struggle as Marie became increasingly ill but she still made sure to give her Christmas parties and read her rendition of ‘twas the night before Christmas to the eagerly awaiting children.

Marie also was a compassionate woman to anybody who needed a meal or a bed to lie down on. With her own very large family, she could always be counted on to take in another lost soul whether it be family, friend, or stranger and offer a meal, a bed, some guidance or just an ear. Her door was always open and a cup of coffee was always on.

Marie also loved having people around as she had a family reunion every year and invited everyone she knew, gatherings that had so many people it would often spill out of the house and into the sidewalk and street of her home.

Marie had lost most of her sight over the past few years but could still be found scouting the yard sales or going to Wal-Mart looking for that great bargain, often buying items to have on hand should someone come up to her who may need it.

She is survived by her husband Waldo Trott, a brother Joseph Gladu, MD and three sisters, Joyce Arsenault of Westbrook, Justina Eraso of FL and Linda Grant of Yarmouth.

Marie will be sadly missed by her nine children and their spouses; Justina and her husband Steve Hatch of Rumford, Diana and her husband Raymond Burton of Saco, Rosa of Nebraska, Waldo Stephen Jr. and his wife Debra of Portland, Linda and her husband Matthew York of Portland, Sandra and her husband Thomas Harlow of Saco, Timothy of Portland, Barbara of New Gloucester, John and his wife Stephanie of Scarborough.

We all know that Marie will be watching over her twenty four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren as she is now resting her head in peace with the realization that her journey is not over but merely starting another chapter.

Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Sunday June 12, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Funeral Services will be held on Monday June 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Brooklawn Memorial Park.

Marie’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name to the National Diabetes Foundation, The National Kidney Foundation or the Maine Center for the Blind as they have been a great help to her when she was slowly losing her sight.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Marie’s guest book.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com