PORTSMOUTH, N.H. and PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Ann Palmer Dorr, 73, was called to her home by her Heavenly Father, March 24, 2005. She passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with cancer and several other serious medical problems. Ann was a real fighter and never once complained about her many problems. She always felt that there were many others who were far worse off than she. Ann was born Aug. 31, 1931, in Brewer, the daughter of David F. and Gertrude M. Palmer. She grew up in Bucksport and attended the schools in the Bucksport school system, graduating from Bucksport High School, Class of 1949. From there, she attended Farmington State Teachers College. Ann married Leslie E. Dorr Sept. 24, 1950, and was a loving, caring, devoted and dedicated wife for 54 and a half years. They made their home in Portsmouth in 1956 and resided there ever since. They also maintained a home in Punta Gorda, Fla. during the winter months. She was well known and respected in the insurance field, having worked in a number of agencies in Bangor, and Portsmouth and Dover, N.H. She served for several years as the secretary of the Portsmouth Insurance Agents Association and also served as president of the New Hampshire Insurance Women’s League in 1960. She retired in 1980 and enjoyed their summer home at Square Lake in Shapleigh. She enjoyed her gardens, flowers, playing cards, as well as her club activities. Ann was active in various community affairs and clubs. She was a member of the Portsmouth Junior Women’s League, Portsmouth Business and Professional Women’s League, a 50 year member of The Order of the Eastern Star. In Bucksport, she was the Charter Worthy Advisor of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and upon moving to Portsmouth, she assumed the office of Mother Advisor for the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and served in that office for 12 years. She was also a member of the Portsmouth Garden Club, the Retired Enlisted Association Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society and Portsmouth Hospital H2U. Ann had a very strong faith in her Creator and worked diligently on activities in both of her churches. She was a member of the North Congregational Church of Portsmouth, N.H. and The Punta Gorda Congregational UCC of Punta Gorda, Fla. She worked tirelessly on various committees and was always a willing volunteer to whatever needed to be done. She served in both churches as an usher. Ann is survived by her husband, Leslie E. Dorr of Portsmouth, N.H. and Punta Gorda, Fla.; a niece, Eileen Lafland and her husband, Larry, of Brewer; a nephew, Ritchie Palmer and his wife, Cheryl, of Bangor; a great-nephew, Eric Palmer of Bangor; a great-niece, Stephanie Palmer of Bangor; a stepnephew, Shawn Lafland and his wife, Viana; and a stepniece, Shelly Vitas and her husband, Michael, as well as great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Nancy M. Perkins of Terryville, Conn.; and a brother, Norman J. Palmer of Bangor. Ann will be greatly and sadly missed by her family, as well as all of her friends and anyone who knew her. Memorial service arrangements will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Kidney Foundation, the American Diabetes Association or any charity in Ann’s name. Please omit any flowers.
ANN PALMER DORR
