LEWISTON – Doris J. (Van Sise) Bruder, 67, longtime resident of Old Webster Road, Lewiston, died after a short illness on Dec. 4, at Central Maine Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Sept. 6, 1940, the eldest of three daughters of Mary and William Van Sise. She attended Central High School, after which she was employed at Fairfield County News.

On Feb. 7, 1959, she married the love of her life, Robert C. Bruder, and together they settled in Bridgeport, and proudly raised three children. Before moving to Maine, she was active in local politics and was a parishioner and Sunday school teacher at Trinity Church in Trumbull, Conn.

In 1975, she moved from Connecticut to Lewiston with her husband and their three children. They purchased and operated Gene’s Corner Store and a few years later The Blue Goose Tavern, where, alongside her husband, Bob (a.k.a. “Gene) she worked tirelessly seven days a week, 365 days a year until 1995, when her husband retired. She was most recently employed by RGIS.

She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for family gatherings. She was never happier than when she was in the company of her children and grandchildren, of whom she was extremely proud. She lived a life of selflessness, love, honesty, compassion, dedication and loyalty. She always kept in touch with the people she loved; never missing a birthday, anniversary, or holiday gathering. Even in her last few weeks, from her hospital bed, she put her family first.

No one could find fault with the life of goodness she lived. She would see something that needed to be done, or someone that was in need, and she would do what she could to help out. Whether, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt or friend, she will be mourned and missed by all those who loved her.

Family survivors include her husband of 48 years, Robert “Bob,” Bruder of Lewiston; her daughter, Carole Bruder of Lewiston; her son, Bob Bruder and his wife, Karen, of Cumberland; her daughter, Laurie Dumont and her husband, Bill, of Minot; and seven grandchildren, Paige and Hunter Dumont, Adam and Stephanie Bruder and Rachel, Kate and Eric Storey; two sisters, Carole Sotaski of Milford, Conn., and Mary McGrath of Bridgeport, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.