Annabelle B. Smith

Annabelle B. Smith, 87
KENNEBUNK -- Annabelle B. Smith, 87, of Western Avenue, died Friday night, August 5, 2011 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. 'Ann' was born in Cape North, Nova Scotia on May 8, 1924, one of 11 children born to Allen and Grace (MacLeod) Burton. She grew up in Cape North and lived there until the onset of World War II. She was only 17 years old when the War started, but was determined to serve her country. She lied about her age and joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps (as her license plate, 'CWAC' proudly proclaims). She did drafting and surveying work all over Canada. After the War, Ann went back to school, studying dress design at Ryerson Technical Institute in Toronto. She then moved to Boston where she worked as a runway fashion model, until injuring her back in a fashion show rehearsal. She came to Kennebunk to recuperate, and never left.
She and her first husband, Doug Doane, who was the former pro at the Cape Arundel Golf Club, bought a cottage that was once part of a girls' boarding school. Each cottage was named after birds, and this one was the English Robin. After Doug's sudden death in 1970, Ann opened a dress shop at the house and, after several years turned four of the rooms into guest rooms. The English Robin Guest House was off and running, and has entertained guests from many countries around the world. Those who stayed often commented that 'a stay with Ann was like a visit home.'
Ann was a 50+ year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Good Cheer Club, and past president of the former Olympian Club in Kennebunk. She loved to sew, bake, and tend to her garden. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
In addition to her first husband, Ann was predeceased by her second husband, Don Smith, and many of her siblings. Survivors include her son, Howard Doane and his wife Tatjana of Kennebunk; a sister, Susie Vanderwoorf of Vancouver, BC; and her three grandchildren, Douglas, Annabelle, and Christianne Doane, all of Kennebunk.
Memorial visitation will be on Thursday, August 11, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m., with an Eastern Star service at 7:30 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Kennebunk Baptist Church, Route 1, Kennebunk, followed by a reception at the Masonic Hall, Temple Street, Kennebunkport. Following the reception, burial will be in Arundel Cemetery, Kennebunkport. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel. www.bibberfuneral.com.
Should friends choose,
memorial donations in Ann's memory may be made to:
Aurora Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, c/o Fran Lapierre
21 Tidewater Court
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Annabelle B. Smith