Charlene M. PlantGUILDERLAND — Charlene M. Plant, the oldest of 10 children and referred to as the matriarch, died peacefully, after a courageous battle with cancer, on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at Community Hospice Inn, with her family by her side.
Ms. Plant was born in Albany, to Charles J. Plant Sr., and the late Marlene R. (Purtell) Plant.
Her family moved to Guilderland when she was a small child, and she lived in the town for the rest of her life.
She was a school bus driver for the Guilderland School District for 22 years.
Her sister, Patty Fink, said she liked the job because she loved being around the kids.
“She was well known for her big smile as she drove…” wrote her family in a tribute.
Although Mrs. Fink called Ms. Plant an “independent woman,” she was very involved in different community organizations, including the Ladies’ Auxiliary at the Westmere Fire Department and the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad; she was also a member of the Church of Christ the King.
Mrs. Fink said her sister loved bowling, playing bingo, and going to the Saratoga Racino.
“She was lucky,” said Mrs. Fink. “She was always winning at bingo and she won at the Racino recently.”
Ms. Plant also enjoyed watching football — her favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys — and NASCAR races.
She was a pillar in the Guilderland community.
“She never missed a wake or a funeral for anyone who was involved in the community,” her sister said.
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Charlene M. Plant is survived by her father, Charles J. Plant Sr., Ms. Plant is survived by her siblings, Patty Fink, and her husband, Carl, Jim Plant, and his wife, Georgine, Cathy Vivenzio, and her husband, Walt, Chuck Plant, and his girlfriend, Donna Herbst, Paul Plant, and his girlfriend, Cheryl Mead, Ray Plant, and his wife, Kathy, Kenny Plant, and his wife, Laura, Bobby Plant, and his wife, Brandy, and Steven Plant, and his wife, Missy; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m., at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. Calling hours will precede the service, from noon to 2 p.m., at the funeral home.
Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to NBT Bank, care of the Cooper Lare Fund, 5 New Karner Road, Guilderland, NY 12084.
— Anne Hayden