Carol Rancourt holding her grandson, Orion Chesley, in 2017

Carol S. Rancourt, a Medicare educator at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging who helped thousands of Mainers assess their health insurance options, died Feb. 3 after suffering a stroke. She was 72.

Ms. Rancourt served 30 years at SMAA, including six years as manager of volunteer services, overseeing more than 700 volunteers across southern Maine. She was also instrumental in developing its Vet to Vet Program.

A Scarborough resident, Ms. Rancourt served on the Town Council and school board for 18 years.

She was remembered Friday as a strong, fearless, and resilient woman who dedicated her life to serving others.

“She was tougher than nails,” said her brother, Craig Rancourt of Cape Elizabeth. “She would be up after midnight every night doing things. She had this amazing mind that kept going. When she believed in something, she would go after it nonstop.”

Ms. Rancourt graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in social work in 1971. She later earned an MSED in adult education at USM and did additional graduate work in the field of gerontology.

During her three decades of work for SMAA, Ms. Rancourt developed the agency’s Senior Medicare Patrol Program, the State Health Insurance Program and the Advance Healthcare program, which serves thousands of seniors each year. She was a leading expert and educator in Medicare plans and helped thousands of seniors select the best plans for their needs. Her brother said Tuesday she gave Medicare workshops across the state. She also helped arrange one-on-one sessions for seniors who needed help assessing different plans and comparing costs.

“She knew those laws backwards and forwards,” her brother said.

Ms. Rancourt was instrumental in forming the agency’s Vet to Vet program and was currently serving on its board of directors.

Susan Gold, executive director of Vet to Vet, said Rancourt was the inspiration behind program, which offers friendly visits to veterans.

“She was always looking for ways to help people,” said Gold, of Saco. “She was an idea person. She was probably the most creative idea person I have ever met. She was a great gift to people in our community.”

Ms. Rancourt had lived on Black Point Road since 1952. At the age of 18, she beat cancer. Her brother said doctors had to remove half of her jaw.

“Carol was always … the glass is half full,” he said. “She was just a kid. She was a beautiful kid, just out of high school.”

The experience ignited her passion for life and a lifelong desire to give back to the community.
In 1981, she adopted her daughter, Katherine Rancourt Chesley, when she was 4 years old. According to her obituary, she led her Girl Scout troop, served as a Sunday school teacher at Black Point Congregational Church, and founded the Scarborough Special Needs PTA.

Ms. Rancourt was elected to the school board in 1994. She served nine years, including two years as chairwoman. In 1999, she founded the Scarborough High School Alumni Scholarship Fund and served on its board for 20 years.

From 2003 to 2012, she served three terms on the Town Council. She also served on the town’s transportation and senior committees through retirement.

Her brother said her civic duty was inspired by their parents.

“She said, ‘That’s what I do. It’s my life,’ he recalled. “She absolutely loved it. She spoke the truth. She wouldn’t lie to anyone. She told people how it was. If they didn’t like it, they didn’t have to agree with her or vote for her.”

Ms. Rancourt also was an active member of the town’s Democratic Committee.

Gold remembered her Friday as a spirited woman with a great sense of humor. Gold said she was passionate about history and politics and loved to debate.

“She was a strong union supporter,” Gold said. “She did so much for people, she really did. She really valued life. I think she really wanted to help people make their lives better.”

Gold reflected on their 60-year friendship, saying they shared a lot of laughs together. The friends were part of a sewing group, Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society. Gold said she was an expert knitter.

“She has made such a difference in my life,” she said. “She brought me so much joy. It was fun to be her friend.”

Ms. Rancourt retired at age 70. She spent every moment she could with her daughter and grandson, Orion Chesley.

“Her grandson was truly the love of her life,” her brother said. “They had an incredible bond. Carol and Katherine were so close. She is so devastated. … I’ll miss her dearly. We talked about four times a week over the phone. We talked about local and national politics. It was never a dull conversation, I’ll tell you that.”