A Life That Matters
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, days.
All the things you collected, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
At the end, whether you were beautiful or brilliant, male or female, even your skin colour won't matter.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched others.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.
Life is not a race, but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosey. Say "thank you," "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things are free. Do not worry. Take time for yourself. Plan for longevity.
Charles R. Leighton, 81 --- December 5, 1935 to September 26, 2017
Gorham - Charles R. Leighton, 81, passed away on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. He was born in Portland on December 5, 1935, the son of Ralph and Clorie (Towne) Leighton.
Charles grew up in Portland and was a graduate of Portland High School where he was inducted to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame for swimming. After school, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for four years of active duty from 1954-1958. He also served for over 22 years in the Maine Air National Guard where he always enjoyed playing Santa Claus at the annual Christmas party for many years. Charles was a mechanic by trade, and had a career with Fairchild that lasted over 26 years. He also worked at the Gorham House for 11 years before he retired. Charles married June Whitten on April 4, 1959, and together the two spent 57 years together rooting on their beloved Boston Red Sox, before June passed away early last year. The couple was also life-long members of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland, where they often volunteered. He also volunteered his time with TRIAD, which is a cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies, elder service providers, and seniors in the Gorham community. Charles loved being outdoors, especially if he was hunting, fishing, or just riding along on his lawn mower. He had a magnetic personality that could draw you in with his ability to tell stories, share a laugh, or simply listen.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ellen Janeiro of Andover, MA; sons, Donald Leighton of Hollywood, FL, and Steven Leighton of Raymond; granddaughters, Jordan and Meghan Janeiro of Andover, and Lacey Leighton of Portland; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 79 State St., Gorham, where a period of visitation will be held from 10am until the time of the service. Burial will follow to Hillside Cemetery, Gorham.
June Whitten Leighton, 82 --- April 4, 1933 to January 16, 2016
GORHAM - June Whitten Leighton, 82, died Saturday following a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born April 4, 1933, the youngest of Perley and Mabel Smith Whitten's 11 children. June was raised on Whitten Hill Road in Kennebunkport and later graduated from Biddeford High in 1951 after her family resettled on Guinea Road. She attended business school in Portland and worked as a secretary before marrying Charles Leighton in 1959. June returned to work in food services at Unum, then Union Mutual, soon after her youngest child was born. In later years she was a fixture behind the counter at Raff's.
During retirement, June and her husband were active members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland, often volunteering for various committees and projects. June enjoyed numerous activities with the Gorham Senior Center, particularly trips to Fenway to watch her beloved Red Sox play. She was a life-long gardener who took special pride in her flowerbeds. June was an enthusiastic baker, and her cookies were a treasured and anticipated gift amongst friends and family.
In addition to her husband, Charles, she is survived by sons Steven, of Raymond, Donald of Hollywood, FL, and daughter Mary Ellen Janeiro of Andover, MA, as well as granddaughters Lacey Leighton of Portland and Jordan and Meghan Janeiro of Andover, MA. Also surviving is a sister, Ruby MacLellan of Sanford and dozens of cherished nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Friday at 10am with a funeral service to follow at 11 at Dolby Dorr Funeral Chapel in Gorham. In lieu of flowers: Williston-Immanuel United Church, 156 High St. Portland, ME 04101, or the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Lorene Anderson Dickason, 59 --- March 17, 1954 to February 24, 2014
DOVER - Lorene Anderson Dickason, known as Lori by her friends, passed away on Feb. 24, 2014 from ovarian cancer. She grew up in Newburyport, Mass. and lived and died in Dover. Lori was employed by Wentworth Douglas Hospital as an Emergency Tech, a job she loved. Her interest had always been in health care. Lori loved spending time with her family, her flowers and plants. She leaves behind her husband, Alan, daughter, Jennifer and son, Jason; along with her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Amy's Treat, PO Box 2234, Dover, N.H. 03821. Amy's Treat is an organization dedicated to providing solutions to the day-to-day difficulties of living with cancer and offers unexpected treats to renew the spirit.
Dana E. Hoffman, 62 --- March 10, 1949 to July 13, 2011
GALWAY - Dana E. Hoffman, 62, died at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, July 10, 2011, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dana was born March 10, 1949, in Waterbury, Conn., son of the late Eugene Joseph Hoffman of Waterbury, Conn., and the late Rita Fern (Anderson) Hoffman of Saranac Lake.
Dana grew up in Saranac Lake and loved the Adirondacks. He was a Boy Scout in Troop 9 and a member of the Peewee bobsled team, loved muscle cars, attended Saranac Lake Central High School, and served in the Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969.
He graduated from North Country Community College in 1971 with an associate's degree in science and from the College of St. Rose in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and computer science. He earned his commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings license in 1972. Throughout his career Dana worked for Control Data, Cray Research, NEC, Ohio State University and most recently IBM.
Dana most loved spending time at home with his wife, Cindy, and his dog, Rocky. He looked forward to his annual summer camping vacation at Fish Creek Ponds, boating, teaching his grandchildren how to water ski, traveling around the country in his RV, playing cards and Scrabble, working on cars and watching NASCAR racing.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia M. (Quinlan) Hoffman, whom he married on Aug. 23, 2003; a daughter, Michelle L. Patnode (Mark Beaudoin) of Saranac Lake; two sons, Dana E. Hoffman Jr. of Plattsburgh and Daniel T. Hoffman (Karla) of Dayton, Ohio; two step-sons, Dylan G. Benosky of Galway and Morgan P. Benosky (Jessica) of Broadalbin; two brothers, Douglas L. Hoffman (Carol) of Lake Placid and Eugene J. Hoffman Jr. of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; one sister, Sandra A. Hoffman-Taylor (Michael) of Pittsfield, Mass.; 13 grandchildren: Brittany, Timothy and Jesse Hoffman of Plattsburgh, Gabrielle Patnode, Emily DeLancett, and Alex and Josh Beaudoin of Saranac Lake, Trey Sexton, Stormy, Skyler, Sunshine, Daniel, Karl, Rachel and Samuel Hoffman of Dayton, Ohio; father and mother-in-law, Chuck and Ruth Quinlan of Galway; six sisters-in-law: Pat (Jeff) Wood, Sandee (Michael) Meilunas, Theresa (Jeffrey) Kozlowski, Aimee (Ray) May, Roxanne (Perry) Lautzenheiser and Wendy Van Epps; two brothers-in-law: Charles Quinlan and Mark (Ann) Quinlan; many aunts and uncles-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his beloved dog, Rocky.
Arrangements provided by the Richard J. Ryan Funeral Home, 2034 West St., Galway. There will be no calling hours and burial will be private to the family. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2011, at Hinds Road, Galway.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
Nancy DesLauriers Macy 67 --- January 13, 1942 to December 6, 2009
Nancy DesLauriers Macy, born Jan. 13, 1942, in Saint Albans, died peacefully at the Vermont Respite House on Saturday Nov. 21, after a spirited mlée with cancer. Nancy is survived by her two daughters Michele and Vicki, and their father Don Macy, as well as her son's children, Brittney, Tianna, Jordon and Lilly; a greatgrandson Carter; her companion Vernon Ploof of Waterville and her loving feline companion Lentil. She is also survived by sister-inlaws Lorraine and Frances Laba; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Martha (Laba) and Robert DesLauriers; her brothers Gerald and Charles Laba, her sister Carol Anderson and her son Donald.
Nancy attended Saranac Lake High School, excelling in History and the Arts. She worked for many years for Avis at the Burlington International Airport and was a wonderful caregiver with the VNA. Nancy embraced beauty and had a passion for helping others. She was a lover of life, amusement, music and song and would brighten a room. She was a special person full of character and charm who loved to tell stories.
Nancy was a devoted mother and an incomparable friend, bringing an unrestrained wit and honesty to all who knew her. Nancy's family would like to thank the staff at FAHC Fanny Allen Rehabilitation Center and the Vermont Respite House for the wonderful care she received during her illness.
Funeral Services will be held at Saint Marks Parish on North Avenue in Burlington, on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. Donations on Nancy's behalf can be made to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495-2102. Arrangements are in the care of Stephen C. Gregory & Sons, Shelburne.
Carole A. Anderson, 69 --- April 10, 1933 to June 08, 2002
DOVER, N.H. - Carole A. Anderson, 69, of Pineview Drive in Dover, N.H., died Saturday June 08, 2002, at the St. Ann Nursing Home following a period of failing health. She was born in Burlington, Vt., April 10, 1933, the daughter of Robert and Florence (Parrot) Deslauriers. She grew up in Saranac Lake, N.Y. Her husband of forty nine years, Richard A. Anderson, died March 4, 2001. Carole was a devoted mother and grandmother that truly enjoyed the outdoors, including gardening and bird watching.
Members of the family include her sons, Steven Anderson of Hooksett, N.H., and Robert Anderson of Rochester, N.H.; her stepson Fred Anderson of Pouhatan, VA.; her daughters Lorene (Mrs. Alan) Dickason of Dover, N.H., and Sharon (Mrs. James) Utley of Dover, N.H.; her stepdaughter Bonnie Robinson of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; one great - grandchild; and several nieces and nephews also survive Carole.
Relatives and friends may call Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Avenue, Dover, N.H. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home, with Rev. Thomas Coover officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary New Cemetery, Dover, N.H.
Richard A. Anderson, 73 --- May 7, 1927 to March 4, 2001
DOVER - Richard Anton Anderson, 73, of 8 Pine View Drive, died Sunday, March 4, 2001, at the Wentworth Douglass Hospital.
Born in Portland, Maine on May 7, 1927, the son of Carl and Hattie (Leighton) Anderson, and was a longtime resident of Newburyport, Mass., prior to moving here 28 years ago.
He served with the Merchant Marines for 38 years and then was an HVAC technician for Liberty Mutual of Portsmouth for 10 years prior to his retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol Ann (DesLauriers) Anderson; three sons, Fred Anderson of Pouhatan, VA., Steven Anderson of Hooksett, and Robert Anderson of Rochester; three daughters, Bonnie Robinson of Chazy, N.Y., Lori Dickason of Coventry, R.I., and Sharon Utley of Dover; 11 special grandchildren, one great-grandchild, nieces and nephews and his very special cat Mindy.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Tasker Funeral Home with the Rev. Deacon Ginny Slawnwhite, chaplain at the Wentworth Douglass Hospital officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's New Cemetery.
Rita Hoffman, 64 --- September 18, 1929 to January 16, 1994
LAKE PLACID - Rita F. Hoffman, 64, of 59 Franklin Ave., Saranac Lake, died Sunday morning, Jan 16th in her home. She was born in Portland, Maine, September 18, 1929, the daughter of Frederick and Hattie (Leighton) Trombley.
Mrs. Hoffman worked as an accountant for Henry Gelles in Lake Placid and was with the Uihlein Mercy Center as their Chief Financial Officer for 23 years, retiring in 1991.
She also worked part time for Douglas L. Hoffman, CPA prior to her death.
Survivors include her long-time companion, Neil F. Meacher, of Saranac Lake; one daughter, Sandra A. Taylor of Pittsfield, Mass.; three sons, Dana E. of Bloomingdale, Douglas L. of Lake Placid, and Eugene J. of San Diego, Calif. Her father Frederick Trombley of Lake Placid, one brother Richard A. Anderson of Dover, NH; eleven great grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother, who died April 10th 1993.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan 20th at 11 am at the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid, Rev. Richard Sears officiating.
Burial will be in the North Elba Cemetery.