BUXTON- Cheri Lynn Hobbs, age 71, passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2026, at Bella Point in Fryeburg.
Cheri was born to parents Gerald and Norma Horn Ames in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on December 16th, 1954. She was the eldest daughter of four siblings; sister Carla, and twin brothers Alan and Dana. When she was four years old, the family initially moved to Union, Maine, then settled in Buxton when Cheri was seven years old. Cheri attended Bonny Eagle High School and graduated in 1974. After graduation, in an attempt to escape small town life and ready for an adventure, Cheri hopped in her Volkswagen and drove cross-country to Tucson, Arizona. While in Tucson she met and married her first husband, Steve Clark, and they welcomed a son together, Jeff. After only a short time in Tucson, Cheri and Steve separated and she and Jeff came back East to Portland.
Once back in Maine, she attended Westbrook College for fashion design, while also working at Deering Ice Cream. After college she worked as a seamstress sewing sails in the Old Port. Cheri never lost touch with her friends from high school and through those connections eventually met her second husband, Chuck Hobbs. The couple purchased their first home in Limington, Maine, then had their daughter, Molly, in 1987. Cheri was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis shortly after Molly was born, but she rarely let the diagnosis get in her way. While in Limington, Cheri started building her career as an insurance agent at Morse, Payson, and Noyes Insurance Agency, later known as TD Banknorth Insurance. Throughout her 23 year career Cheri took many courses to expand her knowledge of insurance, mostly small business, which she loved. In 1993 Cheri and Chuck began participating in the Fresh Air Fund program. Through this program the family met and lovingly welcomed Lazzie, who they considered their second daughter, into their home every summer (and sometimes Christmas!). In 1995 Cheri, Chuck, and Molly moved to Buxton, and Cheri was finally afforded the opportunity to live her dream of designing her own home, which she took great pride in. She lived in Buxton until 2018, when she transitioned into senior living at Birchwoods at Canco in Portland, and eventually Bella Point in Fryeburg.
Cheri, a skilled fashion designer, always incorporated a sewing room into her homes. She designed and sewed many of her own clothes, as well as clothes for her children and family members over the years. She loved animals, especially cats, and adopted very many, including quite a few strays that were lucky to find her. She was a huge science fiction fan from a young age, and read and watched as much sci-fi as she could. She never missed Jeopardy. Cheri always made sure Molly and Lazzie had summers packed full of adventure - Funtown, Old Orchard Beach, and the Kancamagus Highway were a few of her favorite places to take the girls, oftentimes bringing nephews and Molly's friends along too. Planning trips was one of her hobbies; she loved going to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but she also visited California, Montreal, Florida, and Costa Rica to name a few. She was especially proud of the road trip she and Molly took from Tucson to Santa Fe. Music was always a big part of her life; she loved everything from jazz to blues to rock, but especially Counting Crows, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Talking Heads, and Guster, all of which she saw live at least once.
Much like her father, Cheri was never without her camera, and proudly displayed countless family photos and albums. She was a kind, caring, supportive, and generous mother, sibling, and friend who was always ready to capture the moment so it could be cherished forever, just like our memories of her.
Cheri is predeceased by her mother, Norma Horn Ames; her father, Gerald Ames; her husband Chuck Hobbs, her brother Alan Ames, and countless spoiled cats. She is survived by son Jeffrey Clark of Portland, Maine; daughter Molly Suitor, son-in-law Andrew, and granddaughter Sadie of Alfred, Maine; daughter Laznique Titus of Rancho Cordova, CA; sister Carla Arnott and her husband Charles of Easton, Maryland; brother Dana Ames and his wife Patty Ann of Buxton; her first husband Steve Clark of Pattaya, Thailand, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, or another animal shelter dear to your heart.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday June 3rd at 2 PM at Dow's Corner Cemetery, Cape Road, Standish.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com