Laconia-----Doris Ellen Mears, 77, of 765 Union Avenue, died at Lakes Region General Hospital on Sunday, August 28, 2011 after a brief illness. Dorie was the widow of Rev. Robert W. Mears, one of the original founders of New Christian Fellowship, now Laconia Christian Fellowship. Pastor Mears died in 2002.
Dorie was born December 11, 1933 in Canton, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence and Violet (Luce) Thompson. She resided in Franklin, N.H. for several years before moving to Laconia in 1971.
Dorie was mother to three, but in reality she became a second mother to countless young people in the Lakes Region who looked to her and Bob as spiritual parents. She also had a special love for the elderly, serving them for many years as both a LNA and an activities director in a couple of nursing homes, as a home companion and finally as a home care provider when she opened her own business, Dori's Senior Care on Meredith Center Road. She cared for elderly residents there for about nine years.
Survivors include two sons, John E. Mears of Loudon, N.H. and Michael A. Mears of New Zealand; a daughter, Jennifer M. Watson, of Laconia; twelve grandchildren; six great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 from 6:00-8:00PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Laconia Christian School, 1386 Meredith Center Road, Laconia on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00AM.
Burial will be in the family lot in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, N.H.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Laconia Christian School, 1386 Meredith Center Road, Laconia, N. H. 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.