Mary Lou Caron (Baillargeon), 87, of Augusta, Maine, Nokomis, Florida, and formerly of East Boothbay, the beloved matriarch of our family - wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 28, 2025, at MaineGeneral Long Term Care at Glenridge, after valiantly battling dementia for many years.

She was born on Nov. 21, 1937, in Augusta, the cherished daughter of the late Willie and Aimee Baillargeon, and sister to Gisele Desjardin.

Mary Lou was a communicant of St. Michael Parish and graduated from St. Augustine Parochial School and Cony High School in 1956 in Augusta. She went on to work for the State of Maine Bureau of Taxation. Shortly thereafter, she met Leo W. Caron at a roller rink in Farmingdale. Their love story began on skates and never missed a beat. They married in 1957 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, beginning a beautiful journey together that spanned more than six decades. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on Aug. 3, 2025. Together they raised four daughters - Tamra Lee, Lindy Lou, Sherry Ann and Luanne.

Mary Lou was very supportive of all business interests including Caron’s Collision Repair Center in Augusta for 62 years, Kennebec Heights Country Club and Condominium Association in Farmingdale, and 1-7-10 Sports Center in Augusta where she participated in the Coffee Bowling League.

As a proud Franco-American, she was a former member of Le Club Calumet in Augusta, Daughters of Isabella, Kings Gate Club, Moose Lodge and Red Hats Society in Nokomis, Florida.  Over the years she was also a member of the Sportsman Club and the Fox Glen Snowmobile Club.

Mary Lou created a warm and vibrant home that was always filled with love, laughter, and the sounds of family life that included numerous pets.  An exceptional homemaker, she was known for her unwavering dedication to her family.  She took pride in a clean house and was talented at cooking, sewing, camping, and dancing.  She supported her four daughters’ baton-twirling hobby by driving them to weekly lessons for over 10 years, sewing intricate competition costumes, encouraging baton practice, and teaching them perseverance as they competed nationally.  Because she was their biggest cheerleader, they went on to win many twirling titles, of which she took much pride.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her sister, Gisele Desjardin and her son-in-law Dennis A. Gagne.  

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Leo W. Caron, daughters Tamra Lee Gagne of Augusta, Lindy Lou Caron of Nokomis, Florida, Sherry Ann Davis (Charlie) of Augusta, and Luanne Webb of Cumming, Georgia; nine grandchildren: Heather Rae Macklin, Dr. Mandy Liana Macklin, Zachary Leonard Macklin, Kyle Marshall Macklin, Lee Jared Macklin, Ciara Ashley Fortin (Matt), Austin Charles Davis, Alexandra Nicole Webb and Cameron James Webb; two great-grandchildren: Gavyn Leo Donovan and Ellis Michael Fortin. 

Mary Lou was always a giving person who always put her heart into everything she did. The life she built - and the memories she helped create - will live on in our hearts forever. She is now reunited with loved ones gone before her, and while her physical presence is deeply missed, her spirit continues to surround us. She will always be the light behind our fondest memories, the voice in our hearts, and the guardian angel watching over us with a perfect view of the family legacy she left behind.

The family would like to thank the staff at Alzheimer's Care Center in Gardiner, MaineGeneral Long Term Care at Glenridge and MaineGeneral Hospice for the care and compassion during the last five years of caring.

Relatives and friends may visit on Sunday, Aug. 3 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in  Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road, Augusta, 

Donations for MaineGeneral Hospice may be made in Mary Lou’s honor to https://give.mainegeneral.org/hospice

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: www.plummerfh.com. 

We love you Mom, thank you for everything.