Sylvia C. "Tootie" Cloutier Obituary (1936 - 2019)

South Portland - Sylvia "Tootie" Cloutier passed away on her 83rd birthday on December 30, 2019. Born in Portland on December 30, 1936, Sylvia was the daughter of the late Raney and Alice (Hill) Guerette. She was raised in the West End of Portland and graduated from Portland High School in 1954. She met Kevin Cloutier, originally from Rumford, and married in August of 1957, and continued to live in the West End where the neighborhood was full of families and neighbors who became close, life-long friends - - the Conleys, Donahues, Murphys, Thompsons, and Kelleys just to name a few. And they had fun! Over the next several decades, they built a wonderful life together, with family always first. Kevin was a typesetter at Anthoensen Press (for over 30 years) and later worked at Direct Mail of Maine. Sylvia was a cashier at Shaw's (for over 35 years). In addition to three lively children, Barbara Cloutier (Kevin's mother) lived with them and Sylvia's mother lived close by. Sylvia also proved to be an excellent cook. Sometimes if she wanted a really good cut of meat, she would tell the butcher that the Bishop was coming for dinner, as a joke. Holidays were special and the Cloutier home is where they were celebrated, with the best and warmest memories created. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends all made the holidays special. Even daily meal time was sacred as it was about family togetherness. Sylvia had a deep devotion to St. Anthony and passed it on to many others. Sylvia was a kind, compassionate person who helped everybody. She was soon called upon to care for her own mother, who would die an untimely death at the age of 59. Sylvia had spent many years tirelessly taking care of her children, her mother, and her husband until his death at the age of 69. They were married 43 years. Sylvia was always a giver and never once complained. She can reunite now with those she so loved and missed. What a joyous day in heaven. Sylvia is survived by her children, Kevin Cloutier and wife Angie of North Fort Myers, FL; Jack Cloutier and his companion Dawy of Old Orchard Beach; and Maureen Verreault and husband Steven of Scarborough. She is the beloved Momo and Meme of Christine, Danny, Kevin, Kyle, Matvei, Kaitlin, and Mollie. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Elon and Lincoln, Micah and Mackenzie; sister Linda Kilbride and husband Fred of Wimauma, FL and formerly of Hollis; and brother Donald Guerette and wife Eleanor of South Portland. Sylvia was a devoted, loving, and generous mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the stellar and compassionate care they provided to Sylvia. Visiting hours celebrating Sylvia's life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 3 at the Conroy-Tully-Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Saturday, January 4 at 8:15 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The New England Hemophilia Association, 47 Washington Street, Suite 401, Dedham MA 02026.