South Hiram - Marguerite (Peggy) Ann Cloutier (Gillis), age 87, took her last breath peacefully into the
arms of the Lord to be reunited with her beloved husband Oscar on February 21st at Bridgton Hospital.
Her daughter, Roxanne, was privileged to care for her full-time for five years and was by her side. Peggy
was born in Biddeford on September 14th, 1937, to John Edward Gillis and Rachel Irene Tanguay. She
attended and graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1955. She loved playing basketball
when girls only played half-court and was a head majorette in the OOB marching band. She met her soul
mate, husband, and love of her life, Oscar H. Cloutier, who treated her like a princess her entire life. They
were married for 68 years, and they created wonderful memories. They had two children, Michael and
Roxanne, whom they cherished beyond words—loving them through life unconditionally while giving them
all the possibilities you could imagine, skiing being one of them.
Peggy was a retail businesswoman for a good portion of her remarkable life. She started at Carroll Reed
Ski Shop in North Conway, NH, in customer service, working her way up to a managerial position. She
later became the VP of customer relations for Cole Haan in Yarmouth, ME. She was passionate about
her work and balancing that with being a mom, wife, and sister to many. This passion is a testament to
who her children are today. Whether it was her professional or personal life, you always knew where you
stood with Peggy, good or bad. She was sometimes critical and honest, but it was out of love and deep
desire for you to do well.
She is the oldest of six siblings and took this very seriously. She loved family gatherings, celebrating
holidays and special occasions, and reminiscing about memories. She became a matriarch, worrying and
staying in touch with many of them almost daily. Her three sisters, Donna Gaudreau from Saco, ME,
Linda Gillis from Salem, NH, and Nancy Prohaska from Richmond, Rhode Island, were like glue, sticking
together through thick or thin and helping each other navigate life. Her brothers, Bobby from
Scarborough, ME, and Danny from Bermuda Dunes, California, completed the family she cared for and
cherished deeply.
Peggy was one of a kind, exceptional person who cared incredibly for her loved ones and those close to
her. Her dog Teddy was her life companion. He helped her through many losses and medical issues that
were thrown her way. They will miss each other. Later in life, she was passionate about the Red Sox and
counted the days for the season to begin. She watched every game till the end, even if it was on until
midnight. She would be pleased to see them do well, get mad, and critique them when they didn’t. One
of her favorite days was Sunday Funday, which could fall on either day on the weekend when we met
some of the family in Saco to go out for lunch.
She is survived by her loving daughter Roxanne, son Michael, and his wife Chi Chi. She is also survived
by grandchildren who loved her, Benjamin Mayhew and wife Elizabeth, Melissa Mayhew and fiance Brian,
Matthew Cloutier, Melanie Smithgall and husband Tyler, and Mike Cloutier, who predeceased her. She
was also blessed with great-grandchildren Quinn, Reid, Mason, Molly, and Lily, whom she loved. They
always put the biggest smile on her face. Surviving as well are her siblings, Donna Gaudreau, Linda
Gillis, Nancy Prohaska, Bobby Gillis, Danny Gillis, and wife Marlo. She has many nieces and nephews
who helped complete her long and satisfying life. She was also blessed to have many other “children,”
her grandchildren's friends whom she enjoyed following, conversing with, and spending time with. It truly
made her happy.
Many thanks for the kind words of support shown recently. She was blessed to live full-time in a
community that was so caring for the last five years. Thank you to Bridgton Hospital and Beacon Hospice
for providing the highest quality care and support. There will be a Catholic Mass with a family celebration
of her rich life soon.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com