Doris Mary Fuller

She was born in Rumford, Maine on May 22, 1938 to Levi and Bella (Gallant) Thibodeau. She graduated from Mexico High School in 1955 as co-valedictorian of her class.

At the age of 15, Doris met the love of her life Earl Fuller. Together they shared 73 wonderful years, including 68 years of marriage. Early in their marriage, they welcomed three children, and Doris devoted herself to her family. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, and PTA treasurer. She embraced Maine's outdoors with her family, enjoying countless camping trips, hikes, and picnics throughout the state's beautiful countryside.

Beginning as a neighborhood babysitter in her teenage years, Doris worked steadily until retiring at age 62. Her career included positions with Oxford Paper Company, Metropolitan Life, Boise Cascade, Franklin Savings Bank, SAD 21, and the US Census Bureau, where she traveled throughout rural Maine and New Hampshire - an experience that provided stories she delighted in sharing. She retired in 2000 as a Management Specialist with International Paper Company.

Doris was a voracious reader, often finishing two or three novels each week. A talented seamstress, she created several beautiful quilts. She loved walking and could often be seen making her way around the International Paper mill yard and later in life, along the roads and trails surrounding Bear Pond Village in Turner, where she and Earl enjoyed their retirement.

Doris and Earl shared a love of motorcycles, and she logged thousands of miles on the back of their Honda Gold Wing while exploring the eastern United States. Together they enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska, Canada, and many of America's national parks. In her later years, Doris especially treasured her monthly gatherings with The Out to Lunch Bunch, the Bear Pond Village Book Club and luncheons with her fellow members of the Mexico High School class of 1955.

Over the past two years, Doris faced declining health with stoicism, dignity, grace, and even gratitude, often saying, "At least it's not cancer." Her lifelong mantra, "This too shall pass" provided her much comfort, especially in her final days. She met every challenge with grit, determination, and courage inspiring all who were fortunate to know her.

Doris is survived by her devoted husband Earl Fuller of Turner; her daughter Lynne Barlow and husband Russell of Turner; her son Stephen Fuller of Peru; her son Andrew Fuller and wife Brenda of Diamond Bar, CA; her brother James Thibodeau and partner, Crystal Guerrette of Wales; her sister-in-law, Cathy Fuller of South Rumford; her sister-in-law Alice Clark of Dixfield; her sister-in-law Carol Doyen of Holiday Island, NC; her brother-in law Arthur Fuller and wife Jennifer of Greenville, SC; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A message to Doris from her husband, "You will always be with us-in the lives of our children, in the friendships you cherished, in every quilt you made that wrapped someone in warmth, and in the hearts of all who were blessed to know you".

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bear Pond Village Clubhouse in Turner to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Doris requested that donations be sent to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240 | gahumane.org/give/remembrance-gifts/