Merlene A Thebarge Obituary (1941 - 2023)

Old Town - Merlene A. (Blanchette) Thebarge, 82, passed away on December 27, 2023 at The Meadows in Old Town. Merlene was born in Oakland, ME on April 8, 1941, the daughter of Paul and Pauline (Easler) Blanchette. Merlene grew up in Oakland and was a graduate of Messalonskee High School. On August 22, 1964, Merlene and Jeffery Thebarge were married at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Oakland. Merlene and Jeffery started their family, moving to Bradley for Jeffery’s work and they had two daughters, Leanna and Kimberly. During their retirement, Merlene and Jeffery enjoyed being snowbirds for several years, living between Bradley and Palmetto, Florida. Merlene loved spending summer nights by the campfire, watching Maine Hockey games, her yearly summer Red Sox game with the girls, camping, never saying “no” to an adventure and most importantly in the last few years, her great grandchildren She is survived by her daughters, Leanna Dwyer and Kimberly Bell and her husband Stacey; grandchildren, TJ Rafuse and fiancée Ashley, Kristyn Cammack and her husband Bryce and Kaileigh Bell; great grandchildren, Hayley, Jakobe, Avery and Hudson; her “adopted” grandchildren, Eli Williams and Jordan Leblanc and her son-in-law, Pete Rafuse. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Jeffery. Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 4-7PM at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, ME. A Celebration of Merlene’s life will be held at Kostas in Old Town on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Merlene’s name may be made to The Meadows, 110 Perkins Ave., Old Town, ME 04468