Obituary of Dora Helene Redding Cushing

Dora Helene (Redding) Cushing passed away Wednesday, October 29th, 2014 at EMMC surrounded by her loving family. Dora was born April 15th, 1930, in Princeton, daughter of the late Frank and Essie (Taylor) Redding. She grew up in Pembroke with her parents, whom she absolutely adored, and her sister Ruby and brother William, that she loved unconditionally. Dora graduated salutatorian from Pembroke High School in 1947. During that same year she met Donald, fell in love and married him on August 2, 1947 thus beginning their 62 year journey together. Together, they raised their 6 children, who all loved and adored them both. Wife, mother, homemaker were the jobs she loved most during her life. She always enjoyed traveling near and far, music of every kind, singing and playing her guitar, crocheting, playing cards with her lifelong friend Ruth Preston, cooking and baking for her family and friends, any and all family gatherings and above all else her family was without a doubt THE most important thing in her life “Right behind BINGO and scratch tickets”, just kidding. We all know how much she loved us. In addition to her parents, Dora was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Donald, her son Kenneth, her sister Ruby Robinson and her son-in-law Calvin Preston. Surviving are her “perfect” and loving five children, Donna Preston, Darlene Wood, Frank Cushing and wife Lynn, Wayne Cushing and wife Muriel, and Helene Blanchard and her husband John; daughterin law Alice Cushing, brother William Redding and wife Helen, 17 grandchildren , Dean Preston and wife Avery, Wendy McKim and husband Tony, Chad Preston, Michelle Orr, Stacie Cushing, Leslie Cushing and companion Albert Wallace, Kenneth Cushing, Donald Preston and fiancé Becky Hudson, Bobbie Ritchie and husband Tony, Travis Cushing and wife Darlene, Tabitha Hennessey and husband Mark, Laurie Cates and husband Josh, Nicholas Cushing and wife Leigh, Zackery Cushing and fiancé Tina Frick, Megan Cushing, Michael Cushing and Ana, and Mark Cushing. 35 great grandchildren, Cody and Holly Preston, Tyler, Kyle, Keegan and Chase McKim, Allison Merner and husband Eric, Macayla and Jacob Preston, Mariah, Trevor and Tyler Orr, Taylor Cushing, Tori and Dylan Cushing, Mason and Landon Ritchie, Josh Kelsay, Christopher and Matthew Cushing, Emma and Ben Griffin, Lucas, Avery and Max Cates, Jakob Cushing, Cole Cushing, Matthew, Liam, Aiden, and Johnny Cushing, Samara, Sawyer, Isabel and Aryan Cushing; great-great grandchildren Marigold Merner, Braydon Orr, and grandbaby Hennessey on the way; two brothers-in-law Jack Robinson, Vernon Cushing and wife Faye; three sisters-in-law Carolyn Clement, Sandra Rodgers and her companion Wayne Caldwell, and Brenda Cushing and many nieces and nephews and friends. She will also be greatly missed by many special friends and “adopted” children that were welcomed into her home and heart throughout the many years including her “1st adopted daughter” Kelly Donaghy, her Canadian daughters Linda and Barb, her Newfoundland family the Sinnicks, Debbie and the gang at Dennysville Heights, and her favorite nurse Kelly Furlong, just to name a few of the many. A celebration of Dora’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 6th at the Ironworks Methodist Church with the Pastor David Peterson officiating, there will be a gathering of friends and family immediately following at the home of Helene and John Blanchard. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.