Doris Paul
1944 - 2022
Doris Paul
Service Information
Service Date
Friday May 20, 2022
Service Time
11 AM
Service Location
Maqiyahtimok Centre at 247 Maliseet Drive, St,Mary’s First Nation
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We are happy to announce that Doris Paul (Milliea) has started her Spirit Journey.  Doris, originally from Elsipogtog (formerly known as Big Cove) was a resident/member of Saint Mary’s First Nations since the mid 80’s.  She was born in Mars Hill Maine on July 25, 1944. She crossed over into the Spirit World on May 17, 2022.  She was the daughter of the late Noel & Mona (Levi) Milliea.

Doris leaves behind her children; Eric Tomah (Shirley), Robin Tomah (Dan), Maryann Tomah, Johnny Francis (Tanya) and Stephanie Francis as well as her stepsons Lorne Francis and Paul Stephen Francis. She was predeceased by her son Eli(Julia), and her stepchildren Vernon, Audrey and Lorinda. She raised so many other children, but the special ones were Robbie Tomah and Tyrone Peters.  Her son Eli had crossed over 16 years prior, to make her forever home as nice as possible.  It was mentioned that he recently came to visit a sister in a dream, where he showed her that he completed the second cabin along the lake.  It was time for Gram to come home.

Doris was known as Mom, Gram, Auntie or Sogii.  She was predeceased by two husbands ( Aloysius Tomah of Houlton/Pilick and Eric Paul of Sitansisk) and a baby daddy (Stephen L.Francis of Elsipogtog).  She also had to send off her beloved brothers, "Uncle Joe" and "Uncle Levi", and her "ride or die", her eldest sister, Theresa Peters.  We can only imagine the family reunion she went home to, where we know they will be playing Bingo, Hold’em and having some Coors Light.

Gram lived an amazing life.  She survived Indian Day School and the Girls Catholic Boarding School in New Castle.  She then migrated to Houlton, Maine and then Connecticut.  She made her way back, to what was then called Big Cove, for a good 10 years, until she moved to Wolastoqiyik Territory; where she lived in the downtown area of Fredericton for many years.  This proved to be handy for many relations, a this was a pitstop on route to pick blueberries or potatoes in the States.  She welcomed so many visitors into her home, despite already having a houseful.  She never turned anyone away, ever.

She had an "open door policy". We asked why she was always taking people in, she said "well, you never know, maybe one day my sons will be out there and I pray that another mother takes them in too".  This goes to show that she worried about her sons, and had full confidence that her daughters would be fine.

From her days in Elsipogtog, Doris loved gardening, cooking, playing bingo and catching the Saturday morning yard sales.  Her grandkids remember her by her jokes, stories and her long dramatic pauses.  She was revered by all of her grandkids and her great grandchildren.  She taught them all some major life lessons while sitting at the kitchen table(her pulpit) playing cards.

Doris was a firm believer in being of service, giving back, and "sharing the wealth".  Every time she won at bingo she was sure to head out the next day and buy much needed stuff for an unexpecting person, usually a new mom with a brand new baby.  We would ask why she did that.  She would smile and say, "so I will keep winning at bingo".  Looking back, we knew it was much more than that.  She was the epitome of charity and generosity.  She promoted volunteerism to her family, and would sometimes "volun-tell" us to participate in various activities.

You can only imagine her delight when a few of her grandchildren were a part of the community’s youth group, SMYLE (St.Marys Youth Leadership Enrichment).  Gram was their "behind the scenes" player of the group, kind of an Advisor of sorts.  She even set up a meeting with two of the youngest members one time, Zoe and Cheryl, to make a formal request for SMYLE to partner up with the staff of Retail Sales to help sponsor a family for Christmas.  She was so proud of these youth.

For many years, Doris was a stay at home mom when she wasn’t taking courses at St.Thomas University.  Later in life when she became a single mom again, she returned to the workforce and joined the team at Retail Sales.  It was here that she created her "work family".  Everyday she would come home and share stories of the girls.  We were relieved that her work fam loved her humor because she was full of jokes.  She only retired in November 2021.  Since then, so many people say they miss seeing her face when they walked in the office or hearing her voice when she answered the phone.

Gram’s final preparations were completed at Bishop’s Funeral Home. She was then prepared with love by her sister, niece, daughter in law, daughter and granddaughters.  While her grandson and great grandson stood outside to hold space.  Doris continues to share teachings and wisdom with her family and others even in spirit.  She knew how this final send off would be a learning experience for her family in decolonizing grief and loss.  She knew it would be a celebration of life.  Her gift to the world are her amazing grandchildren and great grandchildren, who will continue with these traditions in years to come.

If you have read this far, Gram will be waked at the Maqiyahtimok Centre at 247 Maliseet Drive, St,Mary’s First Nation, Fredericton NB.  Her final send off ceremony will be here on Friday, May 20th, 2022 at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, people are welcomed to make a contribution to the Cancer Society.  Seeing that she kicked cancers butt a few times, this is her way of giving back

Doris Paul