FARMINGTON – Doris Locke Porter Smith of Farmington Falls, died Sept. 1, 2009 at age 98 at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, lovingly surrounded by her family.
She was born on May 8, 1911 in Starks, with twin brother, Maurice, to Elsie Locke and David Locke. She grew up in Starks and attended local schools.
On Nov. 16, 1929, she married Arnold A. Porter and made their home in Farmington Falls where they raised their eight children. After 43 years of marriage, he predeceased her in 1972. Doris was married to Carroll Smith in 1975 until his death in 1986, and then spent the last 19 years with her loving companion, Fred Estes.
Doris’ love of perennial flowers kept her busy until dark most nights even after dealing with her eight children and working a full day at various jobs in the area. She had many plants from her own mother’s gardens that have been passed along to her daughters and granddaughters with her love of flowers continuing through them.
Doris loved to dance and was a regular at the “old fashioned” Saturday night dances near and far until ill health forced her to stop dancing at age 92. In 2001, at the age of 90, she and her dance partner, Fred, were interviewed on a “Bill Green’s Maine” television segment at the Greenwood dance hall where they loved the people, the music and the “smooth floor.” She will be remembered fondly for her sewing, her cooking, her dedication to her large family and for the values she instilled in them all.
She is survived by one son, Dennis and his wife, Helen Porter of Berlin, Mass.; daughters, Roberta and her husband, Ralph Bowser, of Hudson, Mass., Gloria and her husband, George Pillsbury, of Kea-Au, Hawaii, Marlene and her husband, Wilmer Redlevske, of Mercer, Donna and her husband, Charles Carleton, of Pittston, Joline Cadigan and her friend, Al Smith, of Clinton and Bonita “Bonnie” and her husband, Bruce Judkins, of Chesterville; her very special companion of 19 years, Alfred Estes, of Farmington; step-daughters, Roxine Nile of Strong and Myrtle Beedy of Farmington; one brother, Willis Locke of Farmington; 28 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; and 13 great-great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents; two husbands; one daughter, Colleen, two brothers; and four sisters.
At her request, a graveside service was held Sept. 4th.
