ROCKLAND — Charlene M. Oliver, 86, died peacefully, following a brief yet courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Sunday, June 24, 2012, at her home.

Born on Swans Island on Aug. 8, 1925, she was the daughter of Colon and Ada Conary Tinker. Educated in Swans Island schools until the eighth grade, she moved to Rockland with her family, ultimately graduating from Thomaston High School in 1943.

Following high school, Charlene remained in Rockland where she worked for the majority of her career at F.J. O’Hara Fish Processing Plant.

On June 26, 1962, she married Julian Oliver in Rockland. The couple made their home in Owls Head all their married life. Together they enjoyed going dancing at the Blue Goose in Northport.

Mrs. Oliver was active in several senior citizen groups, including Thomaston and Union, where she made many lasting friendships. She loved going to Beano, and her family said she was always up for a road trip. One of her favorite pastimes was the annual Christmas shopping trip with her son and daughter-in-law to Bangor that always ended with dinner at her favorite restaurant, Bugaboo Creek, where she marveled at the talking animals on the wall.

More recently Mrs. Oliver has enjoyed fellowship at West Rockport Baptist Church, and took particular joy in listening to The Hyssongs perform.

An animal lover at heart, she owned many pets over the years, including dogs, cats, hens, rabbits and a seagull she nursed to health, which remained for the rest of its natural life at her home. Not only did she have a heart for animals, she was a loving caregiver to many of her family members, including her husband during his battle with cancer and her own mother during her senior years. She spent many joyful hours with her grandchildren and took care of them when they were younger. They said she never missed a school play, pageant, sporting event or activity. She took great pleasure in family barbeques and holiday gatherings.

Although she never drove, Mrs. Oliver loved walking. She often walked with her grandchildren from her home in Owls Head to Main Street in Rockland to take them for a treat at the Rockland Café or J.J. Newbury’s. Only three months before her death, Mrs. Oliver could be seen walking from her home on Summer Street to Rite-Aide in Rockland.

Her family said she will be greatly missed, and life will not be the same without her.

Predeceased by her husband, Julian Oliver, Mrs. Oliver is survived by her son, Richard Oliver and his wife, Debra, of Owls Head; her stepchildren, Julie Hyatt of Lincolnville and Floyd Oliver and his companion Patty of Owls Head; her grandchildren, Cheselle Oliver and her fiancé Robbie of Owls Head, Wade Oliver of Morris Plains, N.J., Megan Ranquist of Cambridge, Mass., and Lindsay Ranquist of Owls Head; one great-granddaughter, Evelynne Galkowski; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and many friends, including her family and friends at the Methodist Conference Home.

A graveside celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 29 at Ocean View Cemetery, South Thomaston. The Rev. David English will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knox County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841; or Bob Gagnon Cancer Care Fund, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Charlene’s family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.