Obituary of Doris Helen Grover

Doris Grover passed away peacefully on Friday, December 18, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.

Doris Helen Emerson-Grover was born on November 2, 1923, in Weare, NH to Earl and Helen Emerson, growing up with her sister, Evelyn. She attended nursing school in New Hampshire, and went on to serve in the Nurse Corps during World War II at Togus VA Hospital in Augusta, Maine. It was during this time that she met and fell in love with Ivan Warren Grover, and they were married on September 21, 1946. They had three sons together, Seth, Bruce, and Sean, and remained together for 40 years, until his passing in 1986.      

She loved to travel, going to Alaska on several occasions, and touring Europe with family. She was a great fan of the Red Sox, and kept abreast of all their games. A member of TOPS, she was always able to meet her goals and eventually graduated to become a KOPS member, a title she was quite proud of. In her volunteering she was voted volunteer of the year for her efforts. She worked as a nurse even after having children, taking the night shift so she could be a wife and mother during the day. On a Sunday after church, she would often be found surrounded by friends as they went to eat at the Coach House Restaurant, or the Eagles Nest.  She never spoke ill of anyone, no matter what their faults, choosing instead to look at the child of God inside and to love them as she knew she should.  

Doris had many titles throughout her life: Nurse, Volunteer, Church Pillar, Cook, Friend, Wife, Mom, mother-in-law, Grammy, Babushka. Every name was a description of her and the overarching role she played in this life.

-As a nurse, she saw the horrible toll taken upon our nation's heroes and rose to meet the challenge of putting them back together, as strong as any warrior on the battlefield, a war hero in her own right.

-As a volunteer and church pillar, she drove folks to their various appointments, acted as financial secretary of her church, and helped run a thrift shop, asking nothing in return except a world made better.

-As a cook, She was always ready for any public supper or house guest, preparing stuffed cabbage, pumpkin rolls, and her famous Million Dollar Pie (recipe below)  for anyone lucky enough to eat with her.

-As a friend, she went above and beyond, maintaining contact even though the distance was great, offering a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on. Anything that she could give to her friends, she considered it a blessing.

-As a wife, she remained devoted to her husband as they built a house, a family, and a life, traveling extensively across North America and Europe together, close as two people could be.

-As a mother and mother-in-law, she exuded patience and caring, positioning herself as the calm center of a home full of rambunctious boys.

-As Grammy and Babushka, she would make puzzles, tell stories, offer encouragement, and of course, gloriously unhealthy food.

Of all the words used to describe Doris Grover, one word keeps popping up again and again from all who knew her: Selfless. She gave unconditionally, her love, kindness, patience, caring. If one required money, she would give it. If one needed clothes, she would provide them. If one were in need of a vehicle, she may well give you the one she was driving. Throughout her 97 years she was possessed with the singular and noble goal to leave everything she touched better than when she found it, and anyone whom she touched can attest to this fact.  No matter the word used to describe Doris Grover, one thing is for certain, we were all blessed - those of us who had the opportunity to know her - and the world is poorer for her passing.

Doris died as she lived: enjoying and participating in the family, the community, and the world that God had blessed her with. She did so quietly, humbly, faithfully serving others as she knew it was her calling to do. No stranger would ever go hungry at her table. No person in need was ever turned away. So full was her dedication to the life she was given that it was God himself who finally had to step in and say "Doris, your work here is done. It's time to go home."

She was predeceased by her husband Ivan; beloved son Bruce; sister Evelyn; nephews Eddie, Wayne and Johnie.  Doris is survived by sons Seth and wife Marianne, Sean and wife Denise; grandchildren Mae Swan, Shelly Mooar, Genya Grover, Maksim Grover; nieces Beverly and Marilyn;  nephew William; cousin/Red Sox friend Mildred; four beautiful great-grandchildren.   

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the North Brewer-Eddington Methodist Church, 31 Main Rd., Eddington, ME  04428.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Pavilion at Parks Pond Campground, 787 Airline Road, Clifton.  All are invited to celebrate Doris's life.  Private burial will take place at a later date for the family at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta.  

Messages and memories may be shared with the family at kileyandfoley.com

Million Dollar Pie

2 graham cracker pie crusts

12oz. Cool whip

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 lg can crushed pineapple (drained)

1/2c. Chopped nuts

1/2c. Maraschino cherries (chopped)

1/4c. Lemon juice

Mix Cool Whip and condensed milk. Add pineapple, nuts, and cherries. Mix well, add lemon juice and mix some more. Divide filling between the 2 crusts. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with a side of love and kindness.