Evelyn McMerriman Densmore

Evelyn McMerriman Densmore May 14, 1936 July 25, 2016 Evelyn McMerriman Densmore Portland - Evelyn McMerriman Densmore, 80, died of breast cancer July 25, 2016, at the Gosnell Hospice in Scarborough. She was born May 14, 1936, in Lewiston, to Helen Dunnigan Savage and Everett (Cottrell) McMerriman. Evie attended Lewiston's Barkerville Elementary School and Saint Joseph's Grammar School. She was a graduate of Lewiston High School, Class of 1954. Evie loved to tell stories about her childhood adventures with her friends. These always included skiing and ice skating, and many memorable springtime dances. Her glorious summers were spent on Long Island with her many aunts, uncles and cousins. She received a degree from the Gorham Teachers College in 1958. This is where she met her love and husband of 56 years, William Lewis Densmore of Portland. They were married on June 25, 1960. After teaching in Cumberland, Cape Elizabeth, and Peaks Island schools, she took time off to raise her four children. During these years, Evelyn served as a board member of the Children's Resource Center in Portland and joined the Cheverus High School Mother's Club. She led a neighborhood Bluebird troop and was a Catechism teacher at St. Pius X Church. She was known for her elaborate children's Halloween parties. Evelyn loved the Fourth of July family gatherings at her Trickey Pond camp and summer vacations at her family cottage on Peaks Island. With a passion for teaching and a deep love of all children, Evelyn returned to teaching at St. Joseph's School (now St. Brigid's) in Portland where she taught developmental kindergarten and second grade science. During this time she received the Walmart Teacher of the Year Award, earning a gift for the school. She retired at the age of 64 to spend time with her grandchildren. This also allowed her the freedom to stay connected with her college friends as well as her retired teaching friends. She had monthly lunches with both groups until two weeks before her passing. In her retirement, Evelyn also became a docent at the Longfellow House and a volunteer eucharistic minister, visiting the sick and elderly in nursing homes in Portland. In addition to her parents, Evelyn was predeceased by her son Michael Patrick. Survivors include her husband Bill, her sister Mary Timberlake of Falmouth, and her children: William Jr. and Patricia Densmore of Portland; Kathleen and Cesar Britos of Peaks Island; Maureen and John Folsom of Califon, NJ; and Timothy and Melanie Densmore of Plymouth, MA. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Fiona, Maura, Liam, and Siobhan Densmore; Caitlin and Elena Densmore Britos; John, Meredith, and Elizabeth Folsom; Sean and Sarah Evelyn Densmore; and her beautiful great-grandchild, Ava Crowther. Evelyn also will be missed by her many beloved nieces and nephews. The family thanks Evelyn's many caregivers, including Dr. Julie Cekleniak and the nurses at the Scarborough Cancer Center. A most grateful and respectful thank you to Beth Overmoyer, MD, FACP and Elahe Salehi, NP, MSN, for the brilliance, positivity and compassion with which they and the entire staff at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute cared for Evelyn. Lastly, the family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Gosnell Hospice for helping to surround Evelyn with family, friends, love and song in her last days. Friends and family are invited to visiting hours from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 29, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pious X Catholic Church, in Portland, on Saturday, July 30, at 10 a.m., followed by burial in the Old Calvary Cemetery, in South Portland. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Evelyn's memory to: Gosnell Memorial Hospice House 180, US Route One Scarborough, ME 04074 Or Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancer Dana Farber Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Ave Boston, MA 02215

Evelyn McMerriman Densmore

May 14, 1936 - July 25, 2016

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