Gwen Marie Clark

STANDISH – Gwen Marie Clark, 58, passed away on July 12, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.

She was born in Rumford on May 18, 1963, a daughter of the late Dennis and Carol (Fitzgerald) Thibodeau. Gwen was a graduate of the 1981 class of Dirigo High School.

Never afraid of meeting new people or “starting over,” Gwen worked in many local restaurants over her lifetime, some of note including: Bump’s Pub at Sunday River, Eli’s Restaurant in Turner, River Valley Grill in Rumford, and Kawanhee Inn in Weld. In 2000, along with her mother and former partner, John Lavorgna, Gwen opened a pub of her own, affectionately named Jack’s Place, after her youngest son. Gwen took great pride and had lots of fun running this business for 10 years, till its closure.

For a few years, Gwen was employed as a chef for the fly-fisherman at Rapid River near Richardson Lake and for the bear hunters at Western Mountain Outfitters in Phillips. Most recently, Gwen worked in the culinary department at Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico. Although she wasn’t there long, she always spoke very highly of the staff she got to meet at Region 9 and thoroughly enjoyed working with her students, each day.

Even though Gwen was invariably busy with running her business, or working for others, her number one priority was undoubtedly her children. She was happiest spending as much time as possible with Kim, Cole, and Jack. So much so, that when Kim and Cole purchased their individual homes, they each made sure Gwen had her own room to stay in, just for safe measure. The love Gwen and her kids shared was that of admiration, respect, humor, and amusement. She was a warrior for her children up until her very last breath!

Gwen was a chameleon. She fit in with any crowd. At the age of 50, she obtained her motorcycle license. At 54, she passed the CNA exam. She was quick to make friends wherever she went. No one had more fun, had more experiences, or purchased more Amazon packages than Gwen! She was a caring soul, who often thought of others before herself. She certainly lived her short life to the absolute fullest.

Gwen is predeceased by her maternal grandparents Leo and Irene Fitzgerald; her paternal grandparents Armand and Arlene Thibodeau; her parents Dennis and Carol Thibodeau; and her brother-in-law, Mark Allen.

Gwen is survived by her three children, Kim Shorey and her husband Andy Shorey of South Portland, Cole Clark of Standish, and Jack Lavorgna of South Portland; her sister, Lynda Dolloff and her husband Dan Dolloff of Mexico; her nephews Jesse Theriault and Josh Allen of Norfolk, Va. Lastly, her grandson to be, whom is due in September 2021.

A funeral service will be held Saturday July 24 at 12 p.m. at Holy Savior Parish in Rumford. A Celebration of Life is set to follow at 2:30 p.m. at “The Outlet” on Worthley Pond, located at 74 East Shore Road in Peru.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Arbor House of Central Maine Medical Center of Lewiston for their housing and tender care of Gwen when she started her battle with breast cancer in 2010.