BUXTON- Doris Irene Havu gracefully completed the last leg of her earthly journey and was ushered into the presence of the Lord on Sunday afternoon, November 12, 2017. She was 87 years old.
Doris was born on January 23, 1930, the daughter of Phyllis and Basil Townsend, Sr. She was predeceased by her husband John E. Havu Jr.; by her son, John E. Havu III; by her brother David Townsend; and by her sister Edith Townsend. Doris is survived by her brother Basil Townsend and his wife Elaine; by three sons--Douglas and his wife Judy, Bill and his wife Theresa, and Dan and his wife Deborah; by two daughters--Beverly Gammon, and Patricia Bethel and her husband Hector; by a daughter-in-law Maureen Bryant and her husband Carlton; by 15 grandchildren; and by 29 great grandchildren.
Doris was a mail carrier for the West Buxton Post Office for many years, and she was a long-standing member of the East Waterboro Baptist Church--a church family that she loved dearly. Her life was characterized by the poem she drilled into her children:
Others, Lord, yes others;
Let this my motto be.
That I might do for others;
That I might be like Thee.
Yet Doris didn't just teach this poem; her life was the poem. Her home was the most humble abode imaginable, yet it was a palace that was open to all. The door was never locked, the coffee pot was always filled, and the smell of fresh cookies and apple pie ever filled the air. No one ever crossed the threshold of Doris' home that did not leave filled and refreshed.
Doris knew a hungry soul when she saw it, and she was wise enough to know whether the hunger was more than for food alone. She was quick to utter a word of encouragement to those who were weary, and quick to utter a prayer for those in need. She followed the example of her Lord by continually serving "the least of these." She was perhaps the humblest person on the face of the earth. She never thought of herself as better than anyone else, because she never thought of herself at all.
Doris accumulated great wealth over her 87 years of life--the kind of wealth that was not worthy to be counted in earthly dollars. Her wealth shall be eternally measured by deep relationships, by a powerful example, and by transformed lives. Doris lived the life that many envy: A life unencumbered by the trappings of this world. She couldn’t have cared less about money or power or fame. She cared about people, and all who crossed her path knew instantly that they were loved and they were welcomed.
The last two-and-a-half years of her life were an example to us all, as she suffered great pain and poor health with nary a complaint. During this time she has beaten a path to Mercy Hospital's Wound Center; she was eternally grateful to Dr. Keller and his wonderful crew. She was also thankful for nurse Ellen and the VNA folks who came.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 17th, from 4pm to 6pm at West Buxton Baptist Church. The funeral service will also be held at West Buxton Baptist Church on Saturday at 1pm. Burial will follow at Dow's Corner Cemetery in Standish.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com