Nora Lee (Henderson) Van Dusen

Old Orchard Beach- NORA LEE (HENDERSON) VAN DUSEN – 09/18/1954 TO 08/23/2017

The first thing that drew people to Nora was her incredible smile. Her quiet kindness and loyalty were two of the qualities that her lifelong friends treasure and mention most often. Nora Van Dusen died Wednesday August 23 after a nearly two year battle with colon cancer. She courageously endured treatments that sapped her bodily strength, but never her resolute spirit and radiant positivity.

Nora Lee (Henderson) Van Dusen was born in Portland on September 18, 1954 to Donald and Harriet Henderson.  The best memories of her childhood always included summers at Camp Laughing Loon on Little Ossipee Lake.  Following her time as a camper, she attended many reunions, keeping up friendships made decades ago. She was educated in Portland schools, graduating from Deering High School, where her favorite activity was being a member of the Swim Team.  After graduation, she joined the US Army.  As a Sgt 1st class Surgical Technologist, she worked in hospitals in Washington DC and Alaska. She married the love of her life, John Van Dusen, on April 24, 1987.  They moved to Maine, making a life together in the place she loved.  Settling in Old Orchard Beach, Nora worked in the department of Central Services at Southern Maine Health Care for 27 years, before her illness forced her retirement in 2015.

Nora and John enjoyed fishing, boating and traveling to friends and family in Delaware, Maryland and the Carolinas.  On a trip last summer, she and John took an incredible, scenic helicopter ride that exceeded all her “bucket list” expectations.  Nora loved good food, especially Maryland crab feasts with friends. There was nowhere she was happier than relaxing by the ocean.

Nora was predeceased by her father Donald.  She is survived by her husband and soulmate John, her mother Harriet Lawson Wright, her brother William Henderson (Kathleen), her beloved godson and nephew James, her stepsister Susan Wright and several cousins.  She is also survived by her stepchildren John Van Dusen II (Amanda), Teryl Jones (Brian), seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

Friends may visit at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland on Tuesday, August 29 from 4-6 pm. A short memorial service will follow the calling hours. Private burial will be at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Springvale, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted at Camp Laughing Loon, 52 Laughing Loon Lane, East Waterboro, ME 04030

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