Doris L Shanks

On June 11, 2025, our mother Doris L. Shanks was called to her eternal home in heaven. Doris was born on September 14, 1927, in Coldstream, New Brunswick Canada. She was the daughter of Edmund S. Estabrooks and Louise Page Estabrooks. She attended a one room schoolhouse in Coldstream NB and graduated from high school in Hartland, NB in the class of 1944. After graduation Doris went to visit an aunt in Millinocket, Maine and while there she met the love of her life James Shanks. They were married in 1946.

In 1948 their first daughter Jolene was born and a second daughter, Jean was born in 1957. Doris was an active member of the Millinocket First Baptist church. She taught Sunday school and sang in the choir and especially loved her neighborhood Bible study. She and Jimmy enjoyed the great outdoors in Maine and often took out their boat to go fishing, swimming and have cookouts. They also took yearly trips to Old Orchard Beach where the family enjoyed many fun days. She and her friend Nadine ran a small catering business during the 1970s and 80s, creating food for local weddings and special events.

Her interests included reading, berry picking, square dancing, playing the piano by ear and cooking. She also loved entertaining and had a wonderful group of Christian friends known to us as “the Club Girls”. She was the last living member of that group. Doris had a great memory and could still recite poems she learned in first grade into her 90s. She was always gracious and helpful to those in need and made many great friendships in her 97 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Shanks her sister Edith Orser of Cloverdale NB, and her parents. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law Jolene and Joseph Roop of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and her daughter Jean Goodman of Columbia, Tennessee. She had 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Roop Ramsdell and her husband Eric. Sarah Roop DeBenedictis and her husband Patrick. Jamie Goodman Martel and her husband Ross. Donald Goodman and Heather Goodman Alvarez. She also had 7 great grandchildren, Caroline, Charlie and Emily Ramsdell, James and Annie Debenedictis, and Rosie and Esmeralda Alvarez.

A celebration of her life will be held later this summer, in Millinocket, Maine. In lieu of flowers we are asking that donations be made to the Millinocket First Baptist church. Information concerning services will be announced later.