Doris Ledue

PORTLAND - On Saturday, March 31, 2018, Doris Gloria (Beaulieu) Ledue transitioned to her heavenly home. Doris lived an amazing life, always lovingly serving her world however she could.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1931, in Connor, to Thomas and Ida Beaulieu on their family homestead. In 1942 during World War II, the ever-growing Beaulieu family moved to the West End of Portland from Aroostook County. Doris attended Portland High School, graduating with high honors in 1950.

While in basic training in Maryland for the Korean War, Arthur Ledue, another West Ender, met Doris. The two dated, fell in love and married on June 25, 1955, and remained together for nearly 63 years. The two raised five children together, all of whom still live in southern Maine; Arthur Jr. and wife Belinda of Scarborough, Eugene James and wife Marianne of South Portland, Mary Ledue-Bell and husband Jeff of Buxton, Anne Ledue-Hobson (deceased) and her surviving husband Jerry, and Thomas of Sanford. After several employment stops in Massachusetts, the family settled back in Portland's Deering Center in 1972, where Doris lived until this week when she went to a Hospice Facility after a long illness.

Doris loved children and she invested her entire life supporting them. Starting as a young girl in Aroostook County, she was the second mother to siblings in a family that grew to 14 children. She was tirelessly committed to her own five children, always being there to support them however she could. When her own children were all in school, Doris began working at St. Joseph's (now St. Brigid's) Grammar School in Portland, at first as a volunteer librarian and eventually as the head librarian in a career that spanned 35 years. Upon her retirement, the library was named after her, "The Doris G. Ledue Library." During many of these years Doris also taught CCD in the parish. Doris concluded her work outside of her home with 20 years of volunteer efforts at The St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Family was always at the center of Doris' life. Up to her final hours Doris lit up whenever one of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren came to see her. She was famous within her large extended family for big Sunday dinners and Wednesday lunches, with there always being enough food and space for one more person. She was an avid Scrabble and cribbage player and loved being with family. Her generosity of heart touched countless people throughout her years and will resonate across forever.

Doris is survived by her ever-devoted husband Arthur; four of her children; 19 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nine of her siblings.

Her family invites all wishing to pay their last respects to visiting hours on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Jones and Rich Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Doris will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Ave. Portland, on Thursday, April 5, at 10 a.m. Immediately following services, burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Doris's family asks that donations be made to:

Doris G. Ledue Library

St. Brigid's Catholic School

695 Stevens Avenue

Portland, ME 04103