ELVA MAE DOW MCLAUGHLIN

PRINCETON – Elva Mae Dow McLaughlin, 87, went home to her Lord Sept. 27, 2008, surrounded by her loving family, at Atlantic Rehab. & Nursing Center, Calais. Elva was born Dec. 31, 1920, in Calais, daughter of the late George and Alice (Williams) Dow. Elva spent her early years in Crawford and moved to Princeton at age 12. She graduated from Princeton High School, Class of 1940. Some of Elva’s favorite things were watching the Red Sox and “rooting” for the Celtics with her husband, “Gibby.” She enjoyed the “Lawrence Welk Show” on Saturday nights and church services on Sunday. The family reunion was held each August and this was a day she always looked forward to. Lunches at The Hilltop Restaurant were always delicious and brought back many wonderful memories of her early years in Crawford. Her greatest joys were her husband, Gibby; her children and her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, George and Lloyd; and twin brother and sister, Earl and Pearl. Surviving are her loving husband of 65 years, Gerald “Gibby”; one brother, Ellery Dow of Lincoln; two sons, Darrell McLaughlin and wife, Rose, of Lebanon, Ore., and Thomas McLaughlin and wife, Barbara, of Baileyville; two daughters, Dianne Daggett and husband, Wayne, of Topsfield, and Suzanne Kneeland and husband, Dean, of Princeton; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Elva will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by many friends and relatives. She will also be missed by her special kitty, Taffy Mae. Friends may call 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Princeton Baptist Church, where a funeral service will begin 2 p.m. Burial will be after at Princeton Cemetery. Donations in Elva’s memory may be made to Princeton Baptist Church, P.O. Box 376, Princeton, ME 04668. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.