Doreen June Macleod

Doreen June Macleod
     SCARBOROUGH -- Doreen June Macleod died peacefully in Scarborough on Feb. 21, 2007, after a long struggle with cancer and lung disease.
     Doreen was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on Aug. 5, 1929, the only child of George (Spike) and Evelyn Turnbull. She was raised and attended elementary and secondary school in Dunedin. Subsequently she graduated from the Dunedin School of Nursing with an RN degree and an interest in maternity.
     While a nurse, she met a medical student who would become her husband, Cathel A. Macleod. They married on Dec. 17, 1954, a loving relationship that lasted more than 50 years until Cathel's death in March 2005. Doreen and Cathel had three boys; Neil born 1955, Cathel born 1958, and Ian born 1963.
     Much of the framework of Doreen's adult life was determined by the professional career of her husband as he pursued training, career development and ultimately a location that would best suit both career and family. Between 1958 and 1964 the family lived in Cleveland, London, New Zealand, and Toronto. This was a transient period for Doreen and Cathel as they either knew or found their stays to be short. In spite of this transience they used the opportunity to explore these areas, particularly the U.K. and Europe.
     The family returned to Cleveland in 1964 and lived there until Christmas 1972. This was a period of contentment and stability for Doreen, Cathel and the boys. School and sports dominated most of the year. Family camping vacations to Canada, the Carolinas and New England punctuated the summers. During one of the trips to Maine a professional opportunity arose for Cathel. The family moved and stayed in Maine for the next 35 years.
     While the structure of Doreen's life was determined by Cathel's career, the core of her life was family and service. It is believed by her family that she was never particularly interested in their sports, as she never learned any rules of the endless games she attended. Yet she was always there. Similarly, her true interest in camping was always suspect, but she knew the boys and Cathel enjoyed it. Though Cathel worked long and unpredictable hours, Doreen was the constant.
    172 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101
    1024 Broadway, South Portland, Maine 04106
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    INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & FAMILY OPERATED
    As the children grew into adolescents, they remember the probing questions of their mother that would unravel even the most well-planned tale, and kept them honest. The boys were frequently reminded that were it not for their mother's clipping of coupons, their higher education would have been self-financed. As the children grew older they began to recognize her sense of humor which, as with much in her life, was subtle yet always present.
     Though not zealous with her faith, the church was a constant in her life, first at Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. In Maine she took an active role at The State Street Church in Portland, where she was deacon, moderator, steward and trustee.
     From a humble background she appreciated her good fortune and those less fortunate. In Cleveland she was active with a sister institution of the church in the inner city of Cleveland. In Maine, her interest was of a more political nature. Not attracted by the partisan nature of politics, she was interested in the process and took a leadership role with The League of Women Voters.
     Doreen's other interest arose from personal tragedy, the affliction and subsequent death of her eldest son Neil from mental illness. Seeking understanding and healing she took an active role in The Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
     Later in life, ailing herself from a long battle with cancer, she retreated from these activities to care for her husband Cathel as his health declined rapidly.
     There will be a brief funeral service and reception at the State Street Church, 159 State Street, Portland at 2 p.m., on Friday March 2, 2007. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland.
     In lieu of flowers gifts will be appreciated to either:
    The State Street Church
     159 State St.
     Portland, Maine 04101
     or to:
    The National Alliance for the
    Mentally Ill- Maine
     One Bangor St.
     Augusta, Maine 04330