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Obituary of Doreen M. LeMasters

Princeville – Doreen M. LeMasters, 82, of Princeville passed away at 1:51 pm on June 30, 2007 at her home surrounded by her loving family. 

Doreen was born April 14, 1925, in Newport, Monmouthshire, England, to William and Louisa Lucas Rugg.  She met Clifford LeMasters at a church social given for the American servicemen in 1944, at St. Woolos Church, Newport.  They married October 22, 1945, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport.  Cliff survives, along with their dog Sampson.

Also surviving are five sons, John and Cindy LeMasters, of Princeville, Robert and Barb LeMasters of Bartonville, Stephen and Audrey LeMasters of Princeville, David and Carla LeMasters of Bartonville, and Brian and Loan LeMasters of Citrus Springs, FL; two daughters Janice and John Stanton of Wyoming, and Carol and Roger Serpette of Bartonville; 23 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Ivy Joenn and Barbara Snelling, three nephews and one niece , all of Newport, Gwent, South Wales.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Joan Francis, and two brother-in-laws, Tommy Joenn and Malcolm Snelling.

Doreen worked at Lovell’s Restaurant in Newport as a waitress prior to her marriage.  She survived many bombing and blackout attacks during the war and remembers well the rationing of food during her teenage years.  In September 1945, Doreen was crowned Victory Queen in Newport to celebrate the end of the war in Europe and Japan.  Doreen’s dad submitted her photograph for the contest because of her beauty, personality and grace. 

Doreen and Cliff were stationed in Munich, Germany, for 3 years.  Christmas 1945, Doreen’s first Christmas away from home, she and other soldiers wives sponsored a Christmas dinner for 50 orphaned and local German children.  The wives cooked the turkeys and all the fixings along with traditional Christmas cakes and puddings.  Each child had a gift and took away with them a goodie bag with leftovers.  Doreen has hosted an annual Christmas party every year since.  The traditional Christmas party will continue.

After leaving Germany, they were stationed at Chanute Air Force Base for one year.  They returned to England in December 1948, aboard the Queen Mary, returning to the states in October 1964.

Doreen’s first job, after raising their 7 children, was with Carson Pirie Scott.  Later she became a doctor’s assistant until her retirement in 1985.

Doreen became an American citizen in 2003.  She was also a 25-year breast cancer survivor.

Doreen loved to knit and every grandchild and great-grandchild received hand knitted items.  Doreen loved her garden and flowers, especially her roses.  She was an avid reader.  Even toward the end, Doreen was determined to “finish her book”.  As she stated many times, she was never lonely as long as she had a book to read.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, July 6, 2007 at Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home, Princeville.  Rev. Rex Hendrix will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 5, 2007 at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Princeville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society or to the Akron/Princeville Ambulance Service. 

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