Forever Love: The Biography of Donna Dusseault

By
Jessica Dusseault

English 12 Adv.
Lucinda Stein
01/10/2018
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Forever Love: The Biography of Donna Dusseault

Love trumps all. Love, companionship, and family will get those who are stuck in the

tribulations of life through the highs and lows. Donna Dusseault is a compassionate, loving,

whimsical woman who goes above and beyond for her family. Throughout her life, she has

experienced loss and rejuvenation of life in so many forms. Above all, she has instilled in

herself, her family, and those surrounding her that love is an unbreakable, unique, constant that

makes a life of the highest caliber.

Donna’s story starts with her parents. Two people surviving economic hardships, and

becoming their individual selves while falling in love, and growing together. She was born into

an army family, loved and cherished as their first child by Eunice and Warren Reynolds.

Her father, Warren, entered the army at a fairly young age. He didn’t graduate from high

school but did receive his degree through the army. Warren was enlisted in the army during the

time of the Korean War. This war was a conflict between North Korea and its communist allies

against South Korea, with the support of the United Nations, and primarily the United States.

American Soldiers started arriving in Britain around 1942. The British had been holding off the

Germans for over two years and the Americans were greeted with both relief and curiosity when

they finally landed on British shores. The American soldiers were stationed and sent in advance

of the planned invasion of Europe. They were “ferried over in convoys by the thousands and by

the end of the war 1.5 million would be stationed in Great Britain or would pass on through to

fight towards Germany.

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Donna often describes her mother as, “just a small town girl from Bridgton, Maine

(Dusseault, D). Her parents met at a dance in South Portland and got married about a year later.

Her father was then stationed in Hyannis, Massachusetts where she was born. Donna was born

on October 29th, 1941. As a child, she described her mother as caring and loving, but very strict.

“She had to be!” She described that even though they lived wherever her father was stationed

most of the time, he was always gone and very busy with work concerning the war. It described

other times that were especially hard because “he would just keep getting transferred to different

places, and some places we couldn't go. Like Korea, well he got stationed there during the war,

and then later before he retired he was stationed in Korea again. So we couldn’t go there

obviously,” (Dusseault, D). Her mother was seen as the head of the family.

As a young girl, Donna was dragged around from state to state, all the way to California

from a small town in Maine, and even to London starting her life brand new every two to three

years. From this, she learned to be independent at a young age. Her father was enlisted in the

army for twenty years, so for most of life up until high school was spent traveling around. Every

time her family would have to move, and she would have to leave her friends behind. She

learned that her true best friends were her siblings and that no matter how hard every move

seemed to be, she would always have a best friend, and someone who loves her.

With my sister, I think we were always really close. But um, whenever we would go to a

new school I would think, ‘Well, even if no one likes me, at least my sisters here. I mean,

you know I always just had her. We were so close, she was only a year behind me really,

so usually we were always in the same school. (Dusseault, D)

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Donna is the eldest of four children: herself, Lola, Paul, and Kenny. Being the eldest and

having to move around so often, she had to take a certain responsibility. Though sometimes she

was sad, and feeling many emotions that a young girl does even without moving around so

much, she had to put those feelings aside and be strong for her younger siblings. They always

had each other, no matter what. Even if they didn’t make new friends at their school, or if they

were leaving those closest to them behind, they always had each other to lean on. She recalled to

an earlier time, when it was just her, Lola, and Paul, “…when we went to England, we were, I

mean my mother had the responsibility of the three of us,” (Dusseault, D). During their travels to

England, she talked about how they were on this large boat, “it was like a… Slow boat to China

oh my goodness,” (Dusseault, D). She would always be watching her brother and sister, because

she knew they were always up to some sort of mischief, making sure that they weren’t going to

fall off.

London, England seems to be the “grooviest,” and the most significant place Donna

lived. Though it was still foreign land, somewhere she had never lived, it was on a different

continent. Almost a completely different world as she described it. They lived there for three

years, but in that short time she learned that oceans don’t only separate continents, but traditions

and culture. Donna and her siblings went to an English school that happened to be across from

where her family rented a house. She explained that in the states, she would have been in the

fifth grade, but when she came to England she was to young. Donna ended up repeating the

fourth grade. Unlike the traditional schools in America, the schools in England still housed many

grades in one building, with one teacher. This teacher she described as “very strict.” She also
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described that to all the English students, her, her sister Lola, and one other American girl in her

class were quite popular because they always had gum. She felt a bridge building between the

gap of her and this foreign country that she now lived in. Donna said that one of the hardest

things she had to learn was not using an eraser. She described how on the first day of school her

teacher, Mrs. Wheeler, made them take all the erasers off of their pencils, “because she felt like

if you made a mistake you meant to make it. And so you couldn't erase. Which was very hard, I

was always making mistakes” (Dusseault, D.) This logic she has carried with her throughout her

whole life. Every mistake, you were meant to make. Whether it be with school, work, or just life

in general, mistakes were meant to be made. In fact, she only writes with pen even today. “If I

make a mistake, I just cross it out,” (Dusseault, D). Though she had to adjust quite abruptly to

many cultural changes in her time spent at that school house, she enjoyed every minute of it.

Later on during her time in England, the American army opened a school specifically for

American children. She went there for about a year, and it was located right on the base that her

father was stationed. Donna was educated in fifth and sixth grade in this school but was soon

transferred again. Her father’s station moved to right outside of London, where the only school

available for American children was in an old movie studio. She received an education there for

about three months, and then her family was moved back to the states by Christmas time.

After living in London, California, Indiana, Kansas, and Texas her father finally retired.

In total, he was enlisted in the army for twenty years. They soon moved back to Maine, where

Donna and her siblings went to Gorham High School for a short period of time, and then finally

finished their high school careers at Deering. “I loved when I went to high school. First I went to
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Gorham High School, I bet you didn't know that!” (Dusseault, D). When they came back from

California her father got a job in Gorham, and her family rented a house on Robie Street. She

started school in September, but in January her family moved again to Portland. There, she

started going to Deering High School in the tenth grade. “When I was 16 and we moved to

Portland and I started at Derring and I didn't know anyone except my sister and uh I met this

really nice girl and she got me into a sorority in high school, which they don't have anymore,”

(Dusseault, D). The sorority was small and she had to be initiated and “do crazy things”, she

really enjoyed it because she didn’t know anyone else. These girls were some of her closest

friends, and are still really close even today. They plan lunches weekly, plan Christmas and

Fourth of July parties, and are so close that they are considered family by everyone.

Donna talked vividly about some of the courses she took in high school that really

changed her life. She had always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but a “Commercial

Course,” changed her career aspirations. She began to love shorthand and typing, and couldn’t

get enough of it. Her teacher had recommended her to an Insurance Agency, where she got her

first job out of high school. College was never really an option for her, in fact Donnas parents

never even mentioned it to her. It was just assumed that her two brothers would go to college,

and her sister and herself would become teachers or secretaries. “I don't think my parents ever

talked to me about going to college. You just graduated high school and got a job. You know

whereas they were more into my brothers going to college,” (Dusseault, D). If Donna had the

opportunity to do it all again, she would definitely go to college. Donna was just expected to get

a job right after highschool, not only by her parents but really by society. Though she never went
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to college, she doesn’t regret it at all. Her career with the insurance agency has brought her some

of her closest friends. “Every Friday morning I go to breakfast at 6 am, at the same diner, with

four girls that I used to work with. We’re all retired now. Everyone thinks we’re crazy because

we go so early, but we love it because no matter how long we’re there we still have the rest of

our days to do whatever we want!” (Dusseault, D). This group of ladies worked together for

many years. They started their breakfast outings once a month, but it quickly became a weekly

ritual, and what seems to be an unbreakable bond.

Throughout all these changes, and growth in Donnas life, she had one constant that would

unknowingly --and even at some points unwillingly her forever. His name was Arthur Dusseault.

Arthur’s father, also named Arthur, was stationed with Warren at Fort Williams in Maine. When

Warren and Arthur met, Arthur wasn’t married. But eventually he did, to a woman named

Catherine. In time, the two men ended up going to war together and were stationed at the same

location. Over the years, every time Warren and Eunice, Donna’s parents, would come back to

Maine they would get together with Arthur and Catherine. They were able to do this because in

between each transfer, both families were able to come back home to Maine for about six weeks.

Eunice and Catherine became quite close over the years, because of one encounter which they

were able to bond over. Two small-town girls from Maine spent a few days on a train down to

New York City to see their husbands off to war. Between those few days, the women created an

unbreakable bond. Donna described that every time they came back to Maine, that's the first

thing her parents did. They always set up dates with Arthur and Catherine to play cards and just

catch up. She recalled a time when she was fourteen, the two families went on a picnic together.
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Arthur Jr. (her now husband), was a few year younger. “We were at their house. And that’s

when I really got to know him. But I guess we used to take baths together as babies!” (Dusseault,

D). There’s even a picture floating around today of the two in a bathtub together as babies. When

they got to be teenagers, Donna didn’t really like him at all. “He was just. I don't know. I just

didn't like him!” (Dusseault, D). As they got older, and Donna’s feelings for him remained the

same, Arthur soon went into the army. When he went to Korea his parents often came over to

play cards with Donna’s parents, “They were always trying to get me to write to him, but I didn't

want to because I didn't like him. He just seemed like a. I don't know. A smart guy. Not like

smart in the good way. You know how he is. How he is now,” (Dusseault, D). When Arthur

came back from Korea, he enrolled himself at the University of Maine, and that when he and

Donna finally started going out. Donna recalled that she “liked him then, he was nice. And it was

funny because my dad worked at the custom house and he came home from work and was like

“oh guess who I ran into today? Art Dusseault is back from.." I guess you were stationed in New

Mexico?” “Yes, it was New Mexico I believe,” Arthur replied (Dusseault, D). Donna’s father

raved to her about how much Arthur had changed. He was “such a nice guy,” and said that he

might call her sometime. Donna was absolutely horrified that her father had given their

telephone number to him. She was not happy at all. At that time, she was going out with

someone that Arthur described as a “Coast Guard floozy,” but soon broke it off because she

couldn’t see the relationship progressing in any way (Dusseault, A.)

As the two became closer Donna couldn’t help but notice how handsome he had become,

and how seemingly nice he was. He would always take her to go bowling or to the movies, and
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over time fell completely in love with one another. After about a year and a half, Donna

described that she became increasingly disappointed with the progression of their relationship

because “he didn't seem like he was making any serious commitments. Which is what I wanted! I

was 25 or 24 or something,” (Dusseault, D). She made an ultimatum in her head, if he didn’t

propose for christmas or after, she was going to break it off and look for someone else. Though

she loved him dearly, she wanted to start a family. If he couldn’t commit to that, then they would

need to reconsider what they were doing with their lives. But, she hoped that it wouldn’t end that

way, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. To Donnas surprise, that November

Arthur proposed. He went to the jewelry store all by himself. She was twenty-four, and Arthur

told a funny memory that “she got carded that night! She looked barely 18, but she was 24. The

waiter didn't believe her ID,” (Dusseault, A). They were at the Bridgeway, a popular restaurant

among their peers. Donna was completely shocked by the proposal, and couldn’t wait to go

home and tell her family. When she arrived home, everyone was asleep, but she woke them up to

tell them the exciting news. Arthur recalled,

I had gone over sometime when Donna was working, to ask Warren, her father, for her

hand in marriage. And he agreed. And I said it would probably be Saturday. So he went

home and told everyone. And they started planning a surprise little small celebration for

when I brought her back home Saturday night. But the funny part was, I ended up doing

it Friday!. (Dusseault, A.)

They were happily married for just over two years when Donna’s dream came true, and

their first son Danny was born. Then, nineteen months later, another son was born. His name was
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Mark. Motherhood was an absolute joy for Donna and made her life with Arthur feel complete.

They enjoyed parenting together and described themselves as completely different parenting

styles. Arthur was always the most strict, the one the boys feared the most. Though Donna was

stern with the boys, she was more sweet and lenient with them. Over time though, Arthur started

to work more and more to provide for his family. He worked with his father six days a week,

twelve hours a day roofing, painting, and repairing the exteriors of homes all throughout Maine.

This meant that Donna now had to become more stern with her boys. She was the head of the

household, the glue holding her family together.

Abruptly, their happy, fast-paced world soon became days full of frowns and worried

expressions. “We had Mikie, our third baby, he just took a lot of care and everything because he

was born with a really bad heart,” Donna recalled. Mikie took so much care, the Mark at such a

young age, learned to do many things by himself. Arthur was always working, even more so than

before to provide for his family and pay for the now constant and ever-growing medical bills.

One day, Mark tied his shoes all by himself. No one had shown him how to do it, “he would

want to go outside to play, but he would have to put his snowsuit on all by himself. You know if

I was busy with the baby,” (Dusseault, D). She wanted to help him so much, but she was the only

one home to take care of Mikie. She was alone with two growing boys who desperately needed

their mom and a sick baby whose life was hanging by a thread. Soon, Mikie’s condition

worsened, and he passed away. Their whole family was in a state of grievance.

Weeks upon weeks were spent grieving a son, a brother, a grandson. Someone so young

and beautiful, that in his short weeks of life -- though hard a full of fight, brought so much joy to
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everyone that was in his presence. Donna learned how to cope with a loss so significant in her

life, that she had never experienced before. Sure, she had learned to grieve the loss of temporary

homes, friends, foreign places that she learned to call her own. This time was different. She was

grieving the loss of a life that she has created. Where did she go wrong? What did she do, for

herself and her family to deserve this? Why did Mikie deserve this? A sweet innocent infant that

knew little of the world that was just at the tip of his little fingers.

God. She asked him “why,”every day. She asked for forgiveness, in whatever she did that

caused this pain to be brought upon her family. She asked for understanding, “Please God, tell

me why? Give me the strength and answers to understand and go on with my life,” (Dusseault,

D). She prayed every day for her little boy, and for her family.

When asked how she coped, how she was able to survive the pain, Donnas answer was

quite simple. She spoke about how even though every thought was still grieving Mikie, she also

thought of Mark, Danny, and her husband Arthur. She expressed that she even felt some

pressures from society during this tough time. The pressure of being a good mom, and raising

successful sons was always on, but giving birth to a son “that was a lot of pressure making sure

you really did the right thing. That was probably the most pressure” (Dusseault, D). Not only

was she under the severe pressure that she put on herself, she was also under the -- what seemed

like at the time, monstrous scrutiny of society. Her and Arthur just wanted to do what was best

for their baby, and their own family. With these three males in her life, she was able to conquer
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the sadness. She was able not to just, forget, but to let the thoughts of Mikie be happy. She

wanted his soul to rest and to heal. She needed to be strong for her family.

Donna’s life leaves an imprint upon every family member and every person who has ever

met her. She is a kind, understanding woman who lets you run into her arms wide open. She

instills into every family, that above all, set aside every hardship and success in your life, the

love, and bonds you share with those who surround you will help you persevere through

anything that comes your way. That’s how she dealt with the loss of her son. She gained and

gave strength through the love and bond she had with her sons and husband. Without love, what

is your life? There are many ways to define love, and this is Donna’s definition: “Love is a

warm, strong and constant affection for someone or something. To me, my love is like that for

my wonderful family and friends. I also love life and home and so many other things,”

(Dusseault, D.)

Today, Donna is retired and lives in her home with her husband Arthur. Though she is

retired, she enjoys be involved with many weekly activities such as participating in a bowling

league on Mondays, line dancing on Tuesdays, early morning breakfast every Friday morning

with her old work friends, and when the weather is good, every two weeks her and her two

friends Linda and Connie plan a new place to walk around for the day in Maine. Her two boys,

Danny and Mark are all grown and successful, and have families of their own. From this, she has

gained three grandchildren: Christopher -- who is now enlisted in the navy and married, myself --

Jessica, who is preparing to go off to college, and Jason who is a Junior in High School and is

learning the trade of painting cars through VOLK. Speaking on behalf of my cousins, Donna is
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the best grandmother we could ever ask for. She is so selfless and caring, and has always made

us feel that we have a second home. Even as we have gotten older, she is still our favorite person

to go visit, and it’s not just because of her homemade treats. She has surrounded us with an

indescribable, fulfilling, one of a kind love. She will always be there to support us in anyway. I

am truly lucky to call her not only my loving grandmother, but one of my biggest mentors.
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Appendix

Interview with Donna Dusseault

12/05/17

Jessica​: When and where were you born?

Donna​: I was born October 25th 1941. In Hyannis Massachusetts.

Jessica​: What type of family were you born into?

Donna​: I was born into an “army” family. My father was a.. um. My father went into the army

fairly young. Well he didn’t graduate from high school, he uhh got his degree when he was in the

army. So he was very young when he went in and he decided to make it a career and he was in

for 20 years. And my mother was just a small town girl from Bridgeton, Maine. And they met.

Actually they met in South Portland at a dance. And then they got married, I think it was just

about a year later. And then my dad got stationed in Massachusetts in uh Hyannis, and um thats

where I was born! ….Is this hearing me?

Jessica​: So you were born into an army family as you said, was your family strict or religious at

all?

Donna​: Mmm… My father was never really strict but uh my mother was. But not really

religious no.
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Jessica​: What were your mother and father like growing up as a girl?

Donna​: As a girl? Um well, my mother was really the head of the family because my father was

gone all the time. You know, he was in World War 2 and so she had um, she actually had me and

my sister at the time. We were just 16 months apart, really close in age. And um, so he was with

us some of the time but uh he would just keep getting transferred to different places, and some

places we couldn't go. Like Korea, well he got stationed there during the war, and then later

before he retired he was stationed in Korea again. So we couldn’t go there obviously. But um,

you know uh he was transferred to places we could go, so it was, ya my mother was very strict.

And I think she kind of had to be because you know she was the head of the family.

Jessica​: What was it like growing up in an army family setting?

Donna​: I think that you know when I look back on it, I think it was a really good thing because I

got to see a lot of places. And um there was a lot of challenges. You start in new schools all the

time. And uh, but we got to see a lot of nice places and especially when we went to England that

was you know really interesting.

Jessica​: How long did you live in England?

Donna​: Um, 3 years. I was 9 when we went over and uh actually I had passed to the fourth grade

and uh but I was too young there for it. We went to an English School that was right across the

street from my uh, well where we rented a house. It was right across the street from where the
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school was, and I was too young for their 5th grade actually.. Yes thats right. And so I had to

repeat the fourth grade. And it was really interesting because it was this uh one room school

house, there were 4 grades in it, and uh the teacher we had, Mrs. Wheeler, she was very very

strict. And uh, but we were very popular, my sister and I, and this other American girl because

we always had gum. And the English kids loved it. The first day of school, you know, you go

with all your new stuff. Your pencils and other stuff, but the teacher made us all take the erasers

off of our pencils because she felt like if you made a mistake you meant to make it. And so you

couldn't erase. Which was very hard, I was always making mistakes. And especially we had

always been able to use them in America. But it was kind of fun, it was a lot of English kids, and

uh so we got to make a lot of new friends. It was really neat. So we went there for about a year

and then they opened an American school on the base where my father was stationed. And so we

went to that, but it was quite a ways away. We had to take a bus, you know, to get there. So we

spent ah, well lets see… I was in the 5th grade, part of the 6th grade there, and then my dad got

transferred right outside of London, so we had to change schools again. And go to um, an

American school, which was in an old movie studio. So that was really interesting. It was a

huuuuuge huge studio. But uh nobody was really working there, it was just a school then. Ya so

we were there, and then maybe like 3 months later we came right back to the states before

Christmas. So that was good. And every time we came back from wherever we had been, um we

always came to Bridgeton where my grandparents lived. And so that was fun, because we didn't

get to see them very often. But that Christmas when we came back, that was when we didn't have

TVs or anything like that, so that Christmas my grandfather went out and bought a TV for us so
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we could watch TV while we were there. I was pretty cool. He was kind of really a grumpy

grandfather, but I guess maybe he did love us.

Jessica​: Did traveling so much as a child impact you positively or negatively? Maybe even both?

Donna​: I would say it was positive. Um, ya. I would say it was because you kind of had to deal

with a lot of things, you know like going into a new school. Ya I don't think it was negative at

all. So many different things that were different in England like um. The kids always took a

break at 3 o’clock for tea. Always took a break at that time. And you know that was uh really

interesting. And the teacher, well back then you could um like when we were in English School,

the boys they wore short pants and tall socks, and if they did something wrong the teacher

would, she had this like long switch thing and she would hit their legs with it. I can't believe they

could do that then. And we always used to be so scared that we didn't want that to happen to us.

And you would have to go up in front of the class and kneel down in front of everyone, that how

you knew if you were really in trouble. It was awful oh my goodness Jessie. But I would say it

was relatively positive. Because you know I did get to see other cultures and it was really great. I

think probably the only negative thing would be that you might be really scared the first day of

school because you didn't know anybody. Probably that was the most negative thing. Especially

if you had to start in the middle of the year. But and then when we came back from England we

stayed with my grandparents for about a month or so, and then my father got transferred again to

California. So we were out there for three years, and then he retired. And that why we came back

to Maine, because my mother’s parents were here in Bridgeton.

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Jessica​: What was it like living in California?

Donna​: Oh well, that was uh, that was really nice. It was sunny and warm, and we made a lot of

friends. It was really hard to leave there because I was in the ninth grade. But um, when we did

live there we lived in Riverside. Which was probably about… hmmm. An hour, well maybe two

hours form Los Angeles. And we rented a house there. And then we moved to a bigger house

because that when my brother Ken was born. And when we lived in Kentucky that was when my

other brother Paul was born there. So you know that family just kept getting bigger.

Jessica​: Speaking of your siblings, you're the oldest right?

Donna​: Right, thats me!

Jessica​: So its you, and then who else?

Donna​: And then Lola, my sister. And she's sixteen months younger than me. And then Paul.

And then Ken.

Jessica​: Whats your most vivd memory about each of your siblings?

Donna​: Hmm. Lets see. With my sister, I think we were always really close. But um whenever

we would go to a new school I would think, “Well, even if no one likes me, at least my sisters

here. I mean, you know I always just had her. We were so close, she was only a year behind me

really, so usually we were always in the same school. So, and then uh I always had really straight
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hair, and my mother would always have to curl it every morning before school. But oh she had

these beautiful long ringlets. Ugh she's just always had the most beautiful hair. And then Paul, I

guess my most vivd memory of him, well at the time I think my father just really wanted a son so

he was just favored a lot. My father always used to play board games with him, and he would

always let him win. And uh, if my sister and I played a game with him he would always get real

mad when we would win. Is this even going to be interesting? And then my brother Ken, Im 14

years older that him, so I used to take care of him a lot because he was just a baby. That was

when uh, we lived in California. He just didn’t… Well, to me he's just always been special.

Special to me.

Jessica​: What sibling were you closest to as a child? You’ve sort of already answered this one.

Donna​: Well yes, I guess I have. My sister. We were practically babies together. Ya I would say

probably because of age.

Jessica​: Who are you closest to now?

Donna​: My sister. I mean I'm not really that close to Paul because I don't see him very much. Im

pretty close to Ken too. But yes, probably my sister. We’re a lot alike. You know, we uh we like

a lot of the same things.

Jessica​: What was it like being the oldest sister?

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Donna​: Hmmm. Lets see… Well. I guess one thing I remember is I used to babysit Ken, when

we lived here back in Maine a lot. And um, they (my parents) would go out a lot, like to play

cards with friends or whatever, and I would have to care of him. And he would never listen to me

even though I was the oldest. I guess, you know, ya.

Jessica​: Did you take a certain responsibility over your siblings?

Donna​: Ya I would say did. I still do! Im always the one to get us together, and make sure we’re

all doing okay. Im probably more of an older sister now than I was back then!

Jessica​: Do you think that impacted the person you are today?

Donna​: Ya I would think it probably did. Definitely more responsible and more caring.

Jessica​: Did traveling ever impact your siblings in any specific ways? Did you ever have to take

the big sister role and comfort them?

Donna​: Ya, I think so. Like when we went to England, we were, I mean my mother had the

responsibility of the three of us. And we rode this, it was like a… Slow boat to China oh my

goodness. It was this huge boat we were on and it took forever to get there it seemed like. But I

would always make sure they weren't on deck looking over the railing or anything like that. Ya

you know, especially because. Well Paul was only three at the time so my mother was always

busy with him. But if he was with me I would always try and make sure he was behaving.
 Dusseault 20

Jessica​: What was it like growing up as a girl in your time period? Because its much different

from how Ive grown up.

Donna​: Oh much different. I would say in my family, I don't think my parents ever talked to me

about going to college. You just graduated high school and got a job. You know whereas they

were more into my brothers going to college. But I think if I had to, I probably would have. But

you know, you were just expected to go out and get a job. Which is what I did! But um, ya. Like

I was a waitress while I was in high school. And I would never talk back to my parents or

anything. I wouldn’t stick up for myself. No it is a lot different today, which I think is great! I

mean now in the business world, there are women CEOs of companies, you know back then you

were just a secretary and you just didn't have those big jobs. I think its so great. And even when I

was a waitress, when your boss got mad at you, you just didn't speak up for yourself.

Jessica​: Did you ever have a best friend growing up? Other than Aunt Lola.

Donna​: (laughing) Yes Aunt Lola definitely was my best friend. Other than her… No I did have

other best friends. In England, we lived in house across the street from the school. It was actually

kind of an odd house it had. Like some of us had the kitchen on the second floor. Anyways, there

were two families in each house. Both of our dads were in the army, and we became really good

friends. Her name was sherri. And so then they got transferred somewhere else, and that was the

hard part you know. Making friends like that. They always had to leave, or so did you. But I

always had my sister.

 Dusseault 21

Jessica​: Was it hard staying in contact with friends that you made?

Donna​: Like when I had a really good friend in California, and we left. Her name was Becky, I

think we wrote for a while. I mean we didn't have text and we didn't call long distant on

telephone. But um, we wrote for a while and sent Christmas cards. But you made new friends

and so we lost touch after a while.

Jessica​: How would describe yourself as a child?

Donna​: Shy. Much like you were. Im much different now. But yes shy. I wore glasses. Probably

made me look more shy. I always did everything I was told.

Jessica​: What did you like doing as a child?

Donna​: I loved to read. Mystery. All those Nancy Hardy book. No! Not Nancy Hardy, the Hardy

Boys.. Mysteries. And the Bobsy Twins. And puzzles, oh I loved todo puzzles. And I had a doll

house, we used to play for hours with that. And one time my brother Paul, he was playing with it

while we were in school. And we didn't like that. He moved all the furniture! Don't touch our

toys!

Jessica​: So your childhood must have been relatively happy…

 Dusseault 22

Donna​: Oh ya! It was happy. And it was kind of fun always moving around now that I think

about it. I started school in Indiana. And then we moved to Kentucky and lived there. And then

after that, that was when my dad got sent to England, so we lived in Bridgeton until we went

over to England. Oh actually in Texas too. Oh my goodness. Ya. What was the question again?

Jessica​: Your childhood was happy…

Donna​: Oh yes, very happy. They kind of made it fun too actually, because we always had really

nice birthdays, and at Christmas there were always tons of presents because we didn't have any

body else. Grandparents weren’t around, but they always sent us stuff. I think that is one of the

negative things. We never really got to know our grandparents that well because we always

moved around so much. But thats why we always came back to bridgeton. My fathers mother

lived in Connecticut so we never got to see her too much. Thats probably one of the most

negative things.

Jessica​: If you could pick one memory. Whats your happiest memory?

Donna​: It was probably when we lived in Indiana. I was about 6 or 7, my grandmother who lived

in Bridgeton that I was just crazy about, came to spend Christmas with us. And she was just this

small town town lady who took the train and came all the way to Indiana by herself. And I just

remember being so happy about that. That she came to us. Is that too silly?

Jessica​: Did you struggle in school at all?

 Dusseault 23

Donna​: Ummm I think probably the most struggle we had was when we moved to California.

And I think I missed a whole thing on math. I had the most trouble with decimals, and I had the

worst trouble with them. Even now I still struggle with decimals! But no, I was a pretty good

student. Most of the time I made the honor role. I loved when I went to high school. First I went

to Gorham High School, I bet you didn't know that! When we came back from California my

father got a job in Gorham, and we actually lived on Robbie street. And that was in September

we started school. And I think it was in January we moved to Portland, and then I started going

to Deering High School. I was in the 10th grade. So when we moved to Portland and went to

Deering, that was hard too because I had made such good friends in Gorham and then we had to

move. But um I can remember being so mad at my parents. Gorham was such a nice place to live

we could walk to everything. The school was not where it is now, its the municipal building now.

And we made a lot of friends there. And then when we went to Deering it was hard, and we had

lots of different courses then. There was a commercial course and I just loved short hand and

typing. I didn’t struggle too too much. Just with the Decimals.

Jessica​: Being a teenage girl is hard growing up. Did you ever experience a rebellious phase?

Donna​: Probably that time when we moved from Gorham. I was probably really fresh to my

parents then. And we always rented houses so you always had to be so careful because the

furniture wasn’t yours, it came with the home. It was furnished for you. So you couldn't break

anything. You just had to be really careful. Um, ya no I don't think I was rebellious at all. Well

except for that time.

 Dusseault 24

Jessica​: Did you have any specific dreams or ambitions growing up?

Donna​: I think that I always thought I always wanted to be Kindergarten of first grade teacher.

But I always liked the short hand and typing. And I guess I always want to get married and have

kids. Typical.

Jessica​: What would you pick out as the most significant memory from ages 16 to 17?

Donna​: When I was 16 and we moved to Portland and I started at Derring and I didn't know

anyone except my sister and uh I met this really nice girl and she got me into a sorority in high

school, which they don't have anymore. But it was small and we had to be initiated and to crazy

things, and but that was really great because I didn't really know anyone. But it was great

because it was such a big school. But anyway she was a really good friend and she got me into

the sorority. And we’re all still really good friends, and actually we still hang out and we get

together every Christmas. Which is what Im planning for Thursday. We are having our little

Christmas get together here. Theres only really 8 of us now, because a few have died. So its still

pretty special. And papa Is good friends with all of their husbands. I mean, now its mostly

Christmas we get together, but it used to be a lot of other things. But now it seems like everyones
 Dusseault 25

just so busy now, but we still mange to get together. But that was a really special thing for me

when that happened because I didn't really know anybody else. Oh I miss that age.

Jessica​: Did you ever struggle with the popular people in high school? Or being popular?

Donna​: No not really. I guess you always kind of wish you could fit into that group. But the

popular people I did know seemed to be relatively nice. No I never really had a problem with

that.

Jessica​: Did you feel any specific pressures growing up from you parents?

Donna​: Well they. Well I always wanted to do my best from them, because I think they just

always expected me to be perfect. Not ever cause them any trouble at all. So I tried todo that.

Jessica​: Did you feel any specific pressures from society?

Donna​: No. I just really wanted to be a mom. I was older when I had your uncle and you father. I

wanted to be a good mom. But sometimes you would meet people that would make you feel like

you weren't. But no. And I did have a third boy that was born with a really serious heart defect

and that was a lot of pressure making sure you really did the right thing. That was probably the

most pressure.

Jessica​: What was your life like before papa?

 Dusseault 26

Donna​: Well I had a really nice job, and when I was halfway through my senior year my teacher

recommend me for a job with an insurance company in Portland. They were looking for

somebody who knew all the different like bookkeeping job and dictaphones, which I knew. So

thats what I did and it was a lot of fun. And I learned a lot of things so that when people went on

vacation I could fill in for them. And a girl that I had never met, who went to Deering to actually,

we both went for the interview. And we both got the jobs! So we became friends. So that was fun

and it was in Portland which is a lot of fun. It was a really bus link city, not at all like how it is

now. You know its all kind of like cafes now. Back then it was all like department stores. And I

dated then. And the job was fun. And I still worked there after we got married. Up until I got

pregnant with Uncle Danny. Oh and I went on some trips. I spent a week in NYC with a friend

exploring and doing all kinds of things. And we were only 18 then. And then I went to Bermuda

on cruise with a few other girls. Ya so I did quite a bit of traveling. And then I dated a guy from

the coast guard. And a few other guys. But yup that was about it.

Jessica​: When did you have uncle Dan? How old were you?

Donna​: I was 28.. 27… Hes 48, lets see.. Yup 27. It was very exciting. I was excited to be a

mom. He was a really, believe it or not, a good baby. Always happy.

Jessica​: How old were you when you had dad?

Donna​: Lets see they are 19 months apart so, I was 29 then. That was fun. I was kind of hoping

for a girl but thats okay. He was really, always such a sweet baby. Boy did he cry a lot though.
 Dusseault 27

We used to hang him from the ceiling with this special swing that he loved to bounce up and

down in. That was really the only time he didn't cry. He loved that thing. He was just a sweet

little guy. So good. Cute.

Jessica​: Were you and Papa excited when you first found out that you were going to have kids?

Donna​: Oh yes. Really happy. We really wanted a family and we had been married about 2

years. And back then Papas sister, Mary and her husband lived in Maine so they were always

over playing the kids. It was nice not to work then too, to just be at home with them all the time.

Im so grateful for that. Not many people can do that nowadays. Now its sort of impossible. Oh

god your grandfathers spackeling the ceiling again. Don't look, he on the ladder. Its best not to

watch!

Jessica​: What was it like being a mom for your first time?

Donna​: Oh I really loved it. It was a lot of fun. And my next door neighbor Paula had two girl

before, Danny, and then her third after him. And the kids would play outside and we would

always hang out and watch them. Back then there were so many kids in the neighborhood, so

they were always playing. It was a good time. And I loved being a mom.
 Dusseault 28

Jessica​: Do you have any specific memories of Dad and Uncle Dan from when they were

growing up.

Donna​: Well, uncle Dan did sort of be his own person. They were a lot of fun growing up. You

know every Friday we would always go out to eat. Once in a while McDonalds, and sometimes

this one Chinese Restaurant it the “Hooki Lao.” But we would always have to be home so that

they could watch the Dukes of Hazard. And Danny was just talking about that on thanks giving!

I guess there was some marathon of that show on some channel. I don't know. But yes they were.

Well your dad was just always so sweet. And he had to learn how todo a lot of things on his own

because when we had Mikie, our third baby, he just took a lot of care and everything because he

was born with a really bad heart, and I think dad had to learn how to tie his own shoes. And he

would want to go outside to play, but he would have to put his snow suit on all by himself. You

know if I was busy with the baby. Oh I wanted to help him so much, but papa wasn't home and I

had to take care of Mikie. An you know your Dad he just didn't have time, he couldn’t wait. So

he learned how todo it himself. Just like now. He's always acted like he has no time. He didn't

want to wait. Ill never forget. He must have only been like 4. And one day he could just tie his

shoes. And no one taught him! I felt so bad. I still feel bad looking back you know, that he didn't

have a lot of Mom time at such a young age. But he was always good about it. And papa always

worked then with his dad. They did a lot of Jobs remodeling and roofing. They were always

busy. Sometimes weekends too. Mark really reminds me of Papas father. Always working.

Never took a vacation. Must be where he gets it from. When we started camping um when the

boys were 5 and 6, Papa said to his father you know, “I really want to take a week off,” and that
 Dusseault 29

was the only time his father ever took one too. They had a great business, they didn't even need

to advertise. It was always busy back then. Not like today.

Jessica​: What was it like have two teenage boys in the house?

Donna​: Oh that wasn't fun! No they weren't too bad. They didn't really like school. And I feel

bad now because I was always on their case to get their homework done. And sometimes they

would skip school. One time actually, Papa had to go for your dad. He might not appreciate me

telling you this, so don't skip school! But, um he said “I haven't been skipping school!” And she

had this whole long list that she showed to Papa saying, “Yes, he has been skipping!” But ya.

You know I feel bad because I was on their case so much but look at how they turned out. Great

uh workers with great jobs. Better than a lot of kids that went to school everyday. And they're

good husbands and fathers. So I shouldn't of given them such a hard time. But I wanted them to

at least graduate high school! Thats all I wanted. And they did.

Jessica​: Was it hard for you to be strict with them?

Donna​: Oh yes. Very hard. It was. I wasn't very good at it. Well maybe they thought so, I don't

know. Papa was probably more strict and scary than I was. I remember one time he kind of had

Danny bent over the sink. Talking to him.

Jessica​: What was your favorite part about being a mom?

 Dusseault 30

Donna​: I think it was like going places and showing them things you know. Ya just reading to

them. Doing things with them. Going to the beach. We used to do a lot of things with them

especially camping. They used to have a lot of fun doing that. We used to go to New Hampshire

with our friends, as a big group. Usually it always rained.. Go figure. It seemed like it always

rained. Ya I think that was probably the best time.

Jessica​: Do you miss that now?

Donna​: Yes. Sometimes I see other people with kids and I think “Aww I miss those days,” Thats

why I loved it when you kids, Chris and Jay and you, would come over. Like you know, It was

just great. Doing things together. And now you're all grown up!It happens so fast. It seems like

you were in first grade just yesterday, and now you're a senior!

Jessica​: Were you excited when you found out you were going to be a grandma?

Donna​: Oh yes! That was very exciting. When Dan and Dee Dee came to tell us. I was super

excited when I found out you were going to be a girl! Finally!

Jessica​: Whats your favorite memory about being a grandma?

Donna​: For each of you? For chris, we used to take care of him a lot. He used to go to day care

because both Dan and DeeDee worked. And so we used to pick him up a lot because Danny

worked for Down East Energy and he was on call a lot, and then Dee Dee she couldn't always
 Dusseault 31

get in to pick him up at the right time. So we would go down. At one point he was two or three,

and I went in to get him and he was putting on his shoes talking to one of his pals and he said,

“My Nini and Papa are coming to get me!!” Ill never forget that it was just so cute. He was so

excited. And lets see for you, well I used to love every time you came over. All of our tea parties.

That was so much fun. And baking. Making the christmas cookies. Remember the time we were

trying to use that stupid cookie press?I still have that picture. Its right there hanging up on the

wine rack. You were wearing one of my aprons. And then there was that time we made dinner

together when Jason was here. And he didn't want to eat any of it because he thought it was

gross, but he ended up eating it and really liking it.. He ate the vegetables too!! That whole

dinner was so good! We went grocery shopping together. And Jason is just a character. Lots of

memories going to kettle cove with you. And all the beaches we went to. Ogunquit Adventures.

That was fun.

Jessica​: What was it like watching your kids grow up?

Donna​: It was really good seeing how they changed over the years. First days of school. Going

camping. They were really fun, fun to watch. But it went by so fast. You'll see someday.

Jessica​: What do you do now? I know you're really busy unlike Papa.

Donna​: Oh my Im too busy. I love it though. Lets see, on Mondays I bowl with my league,

Tuesday morning I line dance. We learned a new one today to “Sweet Caroline” (starts singing

the song). I love that song. Every Friday morning I got to breakfast at 6 am, at the same diner,
 Dusseault 32

with four girls that I used to work with. We’re all retired now. Everyone thinks we’re crazy

because we go so early, but we love it because no matter how long we’re there we still have the

rest of our days to do whatever we want! We worked together for a lot of years. We first started

doing this once a month. Then every two weeks. And now its every single week. And then we

have other friends we do things with throughout the week. That doesn’t have any special

schedule. Oh! And then I have my two friends Linda and Connie, we plan a walk somewhere

new every two weeks when the weather is good. All through Maine, and sometimes we go down

to Boston. We’ve gone to a lot of different places. Very busy.

 Dusseault 33

Interview with Donna & Arthur Dusseault

12/07/17

Jessica​: So from Ive learned you and Papa have a pretty interesting love story. Can you tell me

about it?

Donna​: Well his father and my father were stationed at fort Williams together, which was when

my father met my mom. And then he met Papas father. And papas father wasn't married at the

time, but he eventually did. And then they went to war together, and eventually were even

stationed at the same place. And every time we would com back to Maine, we would come back

to Bridgeton because ehe always had about a month or six weeks off between each transfer. And

they would visit with Arts mom and dad. Cause my mom had met her one time one time when

the guys were leaving for the war. And my mom and his mom took the train to NYC to see them

off. And they were two little small town women on the train together and got to know one

another, and became really good friends. Every time we came back to Maine they would get

together. And I remember this one time I was probably 14 and we went on a big picnic. We were

at their house. And thats when I really got to know him. But I guess we used to take baths

together as babies! Theres a picture floating around here somewhere of us together in that

bathtub. But anyway when we both got to be teenagers I didn't really like him at all. He was just.

I don't know. I just didn't like him! And then he went to Korea because he went to the army, and
 Dusseault 34

so when he was stationed there his folks would come over and play cards with my parents and

they were always trying to get me to write to him, but I didn't want to because I didn't like him.

He just seemed like a. I don't know. A smart guy. Not like smart in the good way. You know

how he is. How he is now. But anyway when he got back from Korea he went to the University

of Maine, and we started going out then. I liked him then, he was nice. And it was funny because

my dad worked at the custom house and he came home from work and was like “oh guess who I

ran into today? Art Dusseault is back from.." I guess you were stationed in New Mexico?

Art​: Yes, New Mexico I believe.

Donna​: “…. Boy has he changed. He's such a nice guy now!”

Art​: I think I must have called him major or something like that.

Donna​: “He says he might call you sometime!” Oh great I thought. Just great. I wasn't too happy

about it.

Art​: Ya she was going out with a Navy guy at time. Some coast guard floozy.

Donna​: Oh thats right I was! But that was kind of petering out anyways. Ya that was funny. So

thats how we met. Kind of neat in a way you know when you think about it, because our parents

were friends and were always getting together

Art​: Did you tell her about the tub? And the picture?

Donna​: Yes I did. Can you believe it? Our mothers putting us in a tub together, alone!

Art​: I think they had plans for us all the way back then!! Don't use that photo though (chuckles),

might not be too flattering.

 Dusseault 35

Jessica​: What made you fall in love with Papa?

Art​: Oh jeez I better get out of here. I don't think I'm supposed to be hearing this.

Donna​: Well he was kind of handsome back then. He was nice. And we used to go to the movies

and go bowling. And we just fell in love. But lets see, he was going to college then, and he had

been going together for about a year and a half and he didn't seem like he was making any

serious commitments. Which is what I wanted! I was 25 or 24 or something.

Art​: Her clock was ticking!

Donna​: Oh shush. But I was thinking to myself you know, If he doesn't give me a ring for

Christmas, or after Christmas, I think Im going to try and look for somebody else. No I didn't

mean it like that. I think it was in November, before Christmas he asked me to marry him. I was

surprised! I think his father was saying you know, “You can't do any better than her!” And didn't

your father go with you to get the ring? Art?

Art​: No. I went by myself.

Donna​: Huh. But anyways so I was surprised when he pulled out the diamond. We went out to

eat and stuff.

Art​: Ya she was 26 years old and..,

Donna​: No I wasn’t! I was 24.

Art​: Ohhh wait yes. 24. My bad. And she got carded that night! She looked barely 18, but she

was 24. The waiter didn't believe her ID.

 Dusseault 36

Donna​: Oh it was the Bridgeway we went to. But I went home, and everyone was in bed so I

woke them all up to tell them I was engaged.

Art​: I had gone over sometime when Donna was working, to ask Warren, her father, for her hand

in marriage. And he agreed. And I said it would probably be Saturday. So he went home and told

everyone. And they started planning a surprise little small celebration for when I brought her

back home Saturday night. But the funny part was, I ended up doing it Friday!

Donna​: But anyways, yeah. That’s how we met.

 Dusseault 37

Works Cited

Dusseault, Arthur & Donna. Personal Interview. 07 Dec 2017

Dusseault, Donna. Personal Interview. 05 Dec 2017

History.com Staff. “Korean War.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009,

www.history.com/topics/korean-war.

Millett, Allan R. “Korean War.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 27

Sept. 2017, ​www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War​.

O'Connor, Tom. “This is why North Korea hates the U.S.” Newsweek, 9 May 2017,

www.newsweek.com/us-forget-korean-war-led-crisis-north-592630.