SOUTH PORTLAND — Doris R. Vachon, formerly of South Portland, died peacefully and in the presence of her God at St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford on June 6, 2015. Her family had surrounded her for days.

Mrs. Vachon had been married for 62 years to Leo A. Vachon, who was as gracious, as kind, and as dignified as she. They moved to Maine from Methuen, Massachusetts 30 years ago because their two daughters ”“ and, then, their two granddaughters ”“ were all to be found in South Portland or Cape Elizabeth. For many years, they lived across the street from those granddaughters.

Mr. Vachon died in December of 2006. They were communicants of Holy Cross Parish in South Portland.

Doris Rita Tremblay was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on May 20, 1921, the first child of Thomas and Aurelie (Mercier), who had moved from Quebec to the United States to pursue a better life for themselves and their children. At a young age, her family moved again, this time to Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Everything that Doris did in her life ”“ no matter how challenging ”“ was done with grace and selflessness. She exhibited these traits from an early age, leaving school without complaint after eighth-grade to help her family by working a variety of domestic jobs.

After marrying Leo, who had enlisted in the U.S. Army in late 1940, she accompanied him to nearby Paterson, New Jersey as he continued his military training at Fort Dix. Her strength and intrinsic graciousness guided her in saying goodbye to her husband as he set off for North Africa, not to return until after VE Day, five years later.

After the war, Leo and Doris generously opened their Lawrence home to Doris’ mother, father, and two younger brothers, an arrangement that lasted until the boys had grown enough to head out on their own. Her positive spirit and imperishable optimism flourished as she became a mother and, eventually, a grandmother.

Doris was a caring and helpful neighbor; a devoted daughter and daughter-in-law; a loving, understanding and nurturing mother; a sweet and good-humored memere; and a warm, kind and patient spouse. She will continue to be remembered as an example of acceptance, faith, and elegance. In later years, she was rarely to be seen without her hat.

She and her husband were both people who did not take their everyday lives, their families or each other for granted. Each day was a gift to be cherished. Every person warranted courtesy and considerate treatment. Above all, Doris and Leo offered each other unending respect, thoughtfulness, and laughter. In these respects, her story is their story. She was always a lady; he truly a gentleman.

Doris is survived by: two daughters, Jane M. Vachon of Cape Elizabeth, and Pauline V. Kane and her husband Edward J. Kane of Saco; two granddaughters, Bridget V. Kane, and Kathleen M. Kane, both of New York City; one brother, Donald Tremblay and his lovely wife; Doris’ friend of many decades, Marcy Legere Tremblay, of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as nieces and nephews in Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, Georgia and Alabama.

In addition to her husband, Leo, Doris is preceded in death by: two brothers, Paul Tremblay, and Roger Tremblay.

The Vachon and Kane families want to thank the staff at The Wardwell Home in Saco, where Doris spent several happy years. In addition, they want to thank and to note the highly professional, exquisitely compassionate and truly loving care delivered by ”“ the staff at St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford, where Doris lived for two years with a failing memory. The warmth and caring of both staffs filled her last years with companionship and quality care. They also warmly thank the community of the Good Shepherd Sisters (S.C.I.M), as well as the staff of Life Choice Hospice of Scarborough.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

To view Doris’ memorial page, or to share an online condolence, visit www.ctcrawford.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in the name of Doris Vachon to: St. Andre Health Care Facility, 407 Pool St., Biddeford, ME 04005; or The Wardwell, 43 Middle St., Saco, ME 04072.