Lincolnville, ME – Janet Mae Gustafson Plausse RN, 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, January 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the Sussman House in Rockport, ME.
Born in Clinton, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Carl and Ruth Peel Gustafson. Growing up in Hudson, MA, she was a 1952 graduate of Hudson High School.
Following high school, she attended nursing school at Mass Memorial Hospital (now Boston Medical Center) graduating in 1955. During the polio epidemic she worked in the iron lung ward in Boston. Here she met her first husband, Frederick A. Spencer. The two were married in 1958, however Mr. Spencer succumbed to Polio just one year later in 1959.
Moving to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Janet later met H. Robert Plausse who was working in the same hospital. Janet and Bob were married in 1964. The couple made their home in Pembroke, MA for over 29 years and continued working together until they both retired in 1993. The couple then settled in Lincolnville where they had vacationed with their children since the mid 1970s.
Janet was very active in her community of Pembroke, MA. For over 13 years she led her daughters Camp Fire Girls group, served as a Den Mother for her boys in the Cub Scouts, served as President of the PTA, served as president of the Basketball Boosters Club at Silver Lake Regional High School, and was also a part-time school nurse at the Center School in Pembroke.
Janet was an avid Republican activist, having first voted for Eisenhower in 1952, and growing up with a mother who was also politically active. Janet was on the Republican Town Committee in each town she lived. In Maine she joined the Lincolnville Women’s Club and was President for six years. She was Chair of the Waldo County Women’s Republican Club, a member of the Waldo County Republican Committee, serving as Vice Chair, and was on both the Maine State and National Federations of Republican Women.
Janet had a strong and unwavering faith in God. She was an active member of the Bayshore Baptist Church, serving as pianist for many years, and enjoyed a very active church life. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, telling them Bible stories and the family history.
Her passing leaves a big hole in the hearts of all who loved her.
Janet is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, H. Robert Plausse of Lincolnville; her sons, Scott Plausse and his wife Lynn of Dunstable, MA, Bradford Plausse of Bridgwater, MA; six grandchildren, Christopher Plausse and his wife Emily stationed with the Air Force in OK, Nicholas Plausse of Bridgwater, MA, Jessica Sullivan and her husband Tyler of Townsend, MA, Matthew Plausse and his companion Kelsey Whelihan of Pepperell, MA, Jenna Plausse of South Boston, MA, Kyle Plausse of Dunstable, MA; two great-grandchildren, Haiden Plausse and Cameron Plausse; and a son-in-law Joel Boneface of Lille, France. She was predeceased by her daughter Lisa Spencer.
Janet’s family would like to extend a heart-felt ‘Thank You’ to everyone at the Sussman House for their care of Janet in her last days, as well as to their church family for the support they so generously provided.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 11:00 am to 12:00 (noon) Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Bayshore Baptist Church. A celebration of her life will be held at the church immediately following at 12:00 noon. All are invited to stay for a reception in the fellowship hall. Private interment will be held in the Spring.
While flowers are gratefully accepted, donations may be made to the Bayshore Baptist Church, P.O. Box 66, Lincolnville, ME 04849.
To share a memory or condolence with the Plausse family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
