Doris Carman Musa, 95, of Nobleboro, and formerly of Spring Lake, N.J., passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life.
Doris was born in New York City in 1928. She was the third child born to hardworking, proud Italian immigrants who raised four children through the depression. Her parents, Peter and Gemma, were blessed with artistic talents, excellent culinary skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit that defined the American Dream. Together, they ran a candy shoppe/luncheonette in Greenwich Village, and then began an artificial flower business which thrived for many years. Through perseverance, Gemma and Peter moved their family from the bowery of NYC to the Jersey Shore in Spring Lake where their family settled and grew.
As a young girl, Doris enjoyed the loving care of her older sister, Adriana, whom she adored beyond measure. She had often said that Adriana was “everything to her” – sister, mother, confidant, and friend. Doris helped at her parent’s businesses, but also enjoyed the freedom of the Jersey Shore during summers, where the family vacationed before moving there permanently. During these years, her artistic talents developed, and she became an accomplished artist/painter.
Doris attended Georgian Court College in New Jersey and graduated with a degree in education and English literature. Before starting her domestic teaching career, she accepted a position in Indonesia, teaching the children of the engineers working for Esso. She had many an adventure during that time, and traveled through Europe and Egypt before returning to the U.S. She went on to teach fourth grade elementary in Manasquan and Wall Township schools as a member of the New Jersey Education Association. She was beloved by her students and parents alike.
Upon retirement, Doris moved to Maine where she established an independent life and began selling her own artwork to local and tourist fans. In Maine, Doris adopted an intimate group of friends who became her “Maine family” and she was beloved by them as well. Doris loved poetry, Broadway, show tunes, and could usually be found working on her crossword puzzles. She loved to sing and was known to break into song at a moment’s notice. She was an early “foodie” who loved to cook and eat – she was always looking for her “ersters on the half shell” from King Eider’s.
She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Gemma Musa; her brothers, William and Peter; and her beloved sister, Adriana.
She leaves behind nieces and nephews too numerous to name.
Her family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to all her friends in Maine, for their dedication to her health and continued well-being. Kim, Buddy, Suzanne, Pat, Johnna, Renee, and many others were friends and much more to her there.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, 322 West Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709-3543.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting stronghancock.com.
