Clare Ann (Dore) Johansmeier

WATERVILLE – Clare Ann (Dore) Johansmeier died June 7, 2025, at the age of 72, following a long battle with dementia.

Clare was born Oct. 2, 1952, to Dr. Clarence Dore and Marjorie Dore of Waterville. She graduated in 1970 from Waterville High School and continued her education at University of Northern Colorado, ultimately earning her bachelor’s degree. Clare traveled the country and made teaching her chosen profession wherever she spent significant time. Though the places are now immeasurable, she always looked back fondly on the time she spent teaching children on Indian reservations. After many years, she returned home to Waterville to raise her two children, Jacob and Andrew, and continued her work in the education field.

Throughout her life, she loved to care for others. Her home was always open, whether it was for her children and their large group of neighborhood friends to play and regroup, or for friends of her own and family in need of a soft spot to land for food and companionship. For those in need of shelter for brief periods of time, even children of her close friends, most came to call her “Auntie Clare”. She built lasting friendships with the families she raised her children alongside, in the South End of Waterville. For over a decade the neighbors of Carey Lane were like a large family. Eventually, the birth of her two grandchildren gave her something new to focus her care. Clara May and Kolten were truly the light of her life, and she took great pleasure in doting on them. A conversation never ended without her boasting proudly of them.

In 2010, Clare was diagnosed with early onset dementia. She tried hard to live independently, but ultimately spent the rest of her years in the memory care unit at Mount St. Joseph’s in Waterville.

She was predeceased by both parents; her brother, Peter Dore and sisters Betsy Trainor and Bonnie Soper.

She is survived by her sons Jacob and wife Meghan Johansmeier of South Portland, Andrew Johansmeier and fiancee Inez Gregor of Oakland; grandchildren, Clara May and Kolten Johansmeier; and sisters Judy Dore of Scarborough and Sarah Dore of Bellingham, Wash. She leaves behind cousins, nieces and nephews in numbers too large to count.

A special thanks to her niece, Robyn Christy, who had a very close relationship with Clare, and ultimately took over responsibility for her medical needs and familial care after her diagnosis. Thank you to her many caretakers, including Dr. Catherine Kimball, Dr. Frances Ding and Crystal from Inland Family Practice for all their years of love, care, and going the extra mile. And finally, to the compassionate nurses that cared for her daily; Sheila, Amanda and Erin.

The family will be planning a celebration in her honor at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Dementia research at http://www.alz.org.