Charlotte J. Leader, 81, died at her Kennebunk residence surrounded by her loved ones Saturday, July 10, 2010.

She was born Oct. 17, 1928, in Old Town, the daughter of Hathorn Jack and Edith Marie (Gauvin) Jack, and was educated in local schools. She graduated from Lynn Classical High School in Lynn, Mass. She worked in the office at Old Town Shoe Co., for several years.

Mrs. Leader met her husband, William J. Leader, Jr., while he was a student at the University of Maine, Orono. They were married Jan. 13, 1951 and enjoyed 59 years together. They moved to Fairfield, Conn., and Easton, Conn., where the family owned and operated The Leader Beverage Corp., formerly the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Fairfield. Mrs. Leader worked part time at the family business and raised their family. They retired in 1999 to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and spent their summers in Kennebunk.

Charlotte’s passion was her family. She loved to take care of her husband, children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, James K. Leader; three brothers, Thomas, Francis and Albert and by a sister, Rose Elizabeth.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Janet Leader of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Judith Leader Blix and her husband, Thomas, of Napa, Calif.; two sisters, Marie Jack Resnick and her husband Charles of Lincoln, Mass., and Evelyn Hall and her husband Lee of York, Pa., and four grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held by the family in Connecticut. Arrangements were in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.