Norine Clarke Submitted photo

DIXFIELD — Norine Clarke, chairperson of the Select Board, died Tuesday at age 81, according to Town Manager Dustin Starbuck.

“The town is going to feel her loss,” Starbuck said. “Norine has volunteered her time and efforts to the town for the last 40 to 50 years.”

“She has been on the board for a long time or has served in other capacities for the town, whether it be on the Planning Board, taking the minutes of the meetings, or doing the Outdoor Market…all those things,” Starbuck added. “And of course, she also worked with her (late) husband on things for the town before Ralph was quite a force, too.”

Clarke owned and operated Log Cabin Craftworks in Dixfield, was a member of the Dixfield Finance Committee, the Economic Development Committee, and was a longtime member of the board of directors for public access channel WVAC. She was also a member of Searchlight, Book Club, hosted a Monday night sewing class and also served in the past as a Cub Scout Den Mother and for the Rumford Area Youth Hockey Association and Dixfield Little League.

“The town is going to sorely miss that kind of civic participation,” Starbuck said.

A Celebration of Life for Clarke will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St. in Rumford. Interment will be in the Demeritt Cemetery in Peru.

Those who desire may contribute to the United Baptist Church of Peru Food Pantry, PO Box 22, Peru, ME 04290, or to Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 in her memory.