SCARBOROUGH — Forever a birthday girl, Doris Elinor Hamilton Fader, celebrated her 90th birthday on April 7, 2019, and died four days later at Pine Point Center in Scarborough after complications from pneumonia.

Her last party was one to be remembered — family and friends gathered to celebrate her milestone. Her only wish was to have “real” vanilla cake and ice cream, and that’s what she had. The room was full of love.

Doris was born on April 7, 1929, in Cambridge, Mass., the daughter of Howard and Martha (Henderson) Hamilton, and the sister of Muriel. She grew up and attended schools in Medford, Mass., and later went to Lawrence Memorial College in Medford to become a nurse. She then met Robert Fader, whose parents summered on Drakes Island in Wells. They were married on April 28, 1951, and moved to North Reading, Mass., to build their new home. After having their first daughter, Sherryl, they moved to Boxford, Mass., and had sons, Steven and Jonathan. Bob’s job with Westinghouse took them to their next home in Winthrop, and it was there that their fourth child, Amy, was born. Doris lived in Winthrop until 1993, and then moved to Drakes Island to live in the family home. She enjoyed this “cottage” named “Rest Awhile” for 22 years, until her shift to assisted living at Atria in Kennebunk, where she lived for the past four years and met many new friends. Doris considered Atria her home.

Doris loved her family, and her cats, and working at the parking lot on Drakes Island. She loved politics, Broadway shows and musicals, traveling with her son, Jonathan, the Boston Red Sox, watching the snow fall, and ice cream.

She was an avid volunteer, from Meals on Wheels, to Winthrop Food Bank, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Rotary Club, Salvation Army, churches and nursing homes. Doris believed that others needed our help and she devoted a good part of her life to helping others. She made beautiful braided rugs and spent countless hours cutting wool and sorting colors to make such special gifts as well as outfitting her homes. She enjoyed spending time with her braiding friends while they worked on their creations. It’s probably fair to say that Doris’ greatest joy was her son, Jonathan, who predeceased her in 2006, and his husband, Robert Perez. They traveled all over the world together, and she spent many visits with them at their homes in San Francisco and Sonoma, Calif. She collected magnets and wrote in journals about their escapades. She was truly the happiest when she was with them and enjoying their love.

Doris was predeceased by Jonathan in 2006; her sister, Muriel Hamilton Riley; her parents, Howard and Martha Hamilton; and her husband, Robert Fader in 1980.

She is survived by her daughters, Sherryl Franciose of South Portland and Amy Levasseur of Harrison; son, Steven Fader of Worcester, Mass.; eight grandchildren; a niece and three nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 28, at the Fader family home on Drakes Island, 66 Grove St., Wells, from 1 to 4 p.m., by Jon’s big October Glory Maple tree. There will be no visiting hours.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Doris’ Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, Maine 04043.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice in Doris’ name.