Doris Wescott Tibbetts
Doris Wescott Tibbetts
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Doris Tibbetts Obituary
Tibbetts, 104
WINDHAM -- Doris Wescott Tibbetts, 104, of Windham, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Ledgewood Manor in Windham.
She was born June 9, 1903 on the family farm in Standish, the third of ten children, to William and Maude Smith Wescott. She attended Harding school in Standish and graduated from Windham High School. She grew up on the family farm and either walked to and from school or rode her horse, Lady. She loved being outdoors and helping her father run the farm.
On December 6, 1922, she married Lionel Heresy (Leon) Tibbetts. They had nine children, all of them born at home. They lived on the farm in Standish for several years before moving to South Portland, where she resided for about 45 years. In later years, she lived in Casco and in Windham.
She was widowed in 1952 and had to become the sole breadwinner for the family. She worked hard all her life and was employed in several places, the longest being the sardine factory in South Portland, where she worked for more than 50 years. Before moving to South Portland, she would hitchhike to work all the way from Standish. As a young woman, Doris loved to dance and attended many of the area dances. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.and reading the paper, which she did every day. Until she was 96, she cared for her large vegetable garden by herself. In July of 2007, Doris was awarded the Boston Post Cane for being Windham's oldest resident.
Doris was predeceased by her husband, Leon and by her daughter, Doris Elaine Macaro and her son, Phillip Tibbetts, as well as, five sisters and three brothers. She is survived by one sister, Phyllis Flint of Baldwin; and daughters, Florence Millett of Plano, TX, Avis Smith of Bridgton, Abbie Martin of Biddeford, Eleanor Darling of Windham, Janice Alfiero of Standish, Linda Shapleigh of Raymond and her son, Leon Tibbetts of Gorham. She has 35 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; and 41 great-great-grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered by all.
Visiting hours will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 4th at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5th at the funeral home.
Doris Wescott
Tibbetts
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Michael Millett
April 4, 2008
My Grandmother will always be remembered as an amazing woman. If you look up the word persevere in the dictionary her picture is there too. Look back to 1903 and try to imagine living then and right through two World Wars, the depression and several undeclared wars. She saw the rise of refind oil, its effect on transportation and the economy rise and fall for 100 years. As a matter of fact, she had her hands in oil for 50 years at the sardine factory in So Portland, ME. I will always remember the good that she did all her life, her witt and good will. I will miss my Grandmother. Love
Cindy Tibbetts
April 4, 2008
When I am dead, my dearest
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.
By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation
Florence Millett
April 3, 2008
My mother was the most hardest working person that I have ever known. At some point she helped all her family to survive throughout the years. She worked on her own garden well into her ninties. She has proven to all women that you can make it on your own. I miss the many visits she made to my home in past years. My Mother was always there when I needed her. I'm sure she is proud of her entire family. What a great example of witt and determination. I love her and will always miss her. Your loving 1st Daughter
Julie Millett
April 3, 2008
The last time I saw Grammie was in 1993 when I went back to Maine for a visit. She was still going strong back then. I always remember her doing her cross word puzzles. When I was younger she would come to our house, and one of my chores was to wash dishes, which I hated. She would come in and tell me to go play outside. She would do my dishes. I would tell all my co-workers and people that I would meet that I have a Grandmother who was 104. I was able to talk to her on the phone and she would tell us her stories of living on the farm. I will surely miss her. Your loving Granddaughter.
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Doris Grover
April 2, 2008
Grammie The last time I saw you,You were in the nursing home. My mother Abbie and My sister Jeannie and I Doris came to see you. Mom always had to make sure she brought you a treat and you said I,ll save it for later.Jeannie tried to get you to play the piano for us, you tried really hard.I also thought youd be here forever but you said I think I,ll go home now. And now you are. I can just see you swinging those hips as you walk straight and strong . Someday I will see you again you are very special, always said what you thought ,no one had to guess what was on your mind.My only regret is that you never met my 3 grandchildren. We"ll see each other soon until then rest well.
LOVE
Doris & Bob Grover and family
Sevierville, TN
Billy Shapleigh Jr
April 2, 2008
Rest In Peace Grammy!
Love Bill Shapleigh Jr.
Russell, Lisa, Heather,Krysten and Camrin Millett
April 1, 2008
To my family in Maine,
We were all sad to hear the news of Grammie passing away last week. I think that its a very special thing to say I have a Grandma that is over 100 years old. For the last few years I would tell people at work and my friends of another birthday come June 9th. Of course they shake their heads and ask if that means I will be around that long. I would like to claim that I take after the Tibbetts side.I know I look like my mothers side of the family, so I guess the odds are in my favor.
I am proud to be one of the 35 grandchildren and to have added 3 great-granddaughters to the list. I am one of the grandsons, Russell (5th child of Florence) and my wife's name is Lisa.Our children and just some of the 62 great-granddaughters are, Heather (23) Krysten (21) and Camrin (7). They all think its amazing that Grammie was 104 years old and can't imagine what all she must have seen and done this past century. I am glad she got to meet my oldest girls a few years ago when Mom brought them to Maine for a vacation. I always thought she was a cool Grandmother. She was very quick witted and funny, that's what I will remember the most.
We hope all is well with everyone and our thoughts go out to each of you during this time.
Susan and Allen Jackson
March 31, 2008
Even though I was away from Maine a large portion of my life, my grandmother was always an inspiration to me. She was an independent, opinionated woman who worked hard and raised her children without government assistance. She was a liberated woman long before "woman's lib" was ever heard of in the sixties!
Grammie experienced a life not many have had or will ever have. She experienced the simple life of the early 20th century and saw significant changes and events in the world right through to the 21st century.
She never had any serious illnesses and resisted going to the doctor, which is probably why she had such remarkable health right up the end. It is my goal to live as long as she did.
I have many fond memories of my grandmother during my childhood including her regular visits with a bag of fresh cookies from the bakery.
Allen was so grateful that he got to meet Grammie 7 years ago and will always cherish the visit.
I will miss you Grammie. I am sure you are at peace, and you are dancing!
Susan
Belinda Shapleigh-Archer
March 31, 2008
My Beloved Ninny,
You are locked in my heart forever.Giving us such a rich history,with all your stories.We all will miss you.When my parents brought me home to "our house" including you my mom and dad in the home, you were the first to hold me, like you were always my "Second Mom" and that is how i will awlays see you. You will always be in my heart forever.
Stephen Millett
March 30, 2008
My deepest sympathy to all. May the Lord grant comfort and peace to all the closest family during this dificult time. What an amazing long life she was blessed with.
William Millett
March 30, 2008
My earliest memory of my Grandmother goes back to the mid 1940s when my mother and I lived on "the farm" for a time with "Grammie" while my father fought in Europe in WWII. I always admired her for her sense of independence and her tenacity. She didn't look for charity, but worked hard with great sacrifice to raise a large family after being widowed.
The last time I saw her, (in her mid 90s) my wife Jennie and I sat with her in her bedroom in Windham and she was telling us stories of her childhood. An interesting event was that she either sang or recited songs from an old hymnal she had from chilhood, one that was used by she and her father when they would get up on Sunday morning and take the "horse and buggy" to church. Her PaPa would play guitar and she sang. The interesting point is, that she was reciting these songs to my wife and I from memory - perfectly while I was holding the hymnal in my hand! God Bless the family, my mother Florence and Doris who now sleeps safely in Christ in God awaiting the day of her rising with Him.
Bill & Jennie Millett and greatgrand children Stephen & Cheryl and their families, Fort Worth, Texas.
Belinda Shapleigh-Archer
March 30, 2008
To my loving Ninny,
You will be in my heart forever. You never knew how much you meant to me. You will be treasured by all you touched and loved. You will be locked in our hearts always. Since my birth when my parents brought me home from the hospital, you were there for me. You will always be my Ninny.
Your Granddaughter, Belinda
vicki pratt
March 30, 2008
grammie~iam going to miss you so much ~rest in peace ~love vicki
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