Remembering Dovie Gaither
- publicity115
- May 15
- 2 min read
We learned at the beginning of May of the passing of beloved EAC community member Dovie Gaither.
A few words of remembrance have been offered by some of the many who knew and cared about Dovie:
Dovie was the Founding Member of the Eastport International Dance Class. She had the unique ability to memorize these songs and dances from when she was a child. There would be no International Dance without Dovie. Her memory lives on in the dances. —Claudia Jones
Dovie had the gentlest nature with a birdlike grace that I miss very much. I’ll always remember her successfully getting the bus driver to dance with the children who came for a field trip to the arts center. We miss you Dovie. —Chris Grannis
May she be dancing in heaven and teaching a new group of dancers. She held so much joy in her heart. We were fortunate to have her in our lives. RIP, dear Dovie. —Jeanne Peacock
We came to Eastport in 2011 and bought the home at 153 Water Street from David and Martha Leister. One day we had a visit from a tiny but mighty white-haired woman who said she was the twin of the former owner (of the house), David Leister. Dovie had an agenda. She wanted to enlist me in her dance group. She looked around and saw space to dance in our empty living room. She asked if she could bring her boom box and CDs and if she could teach me international folk dancing. Of course, being new to the neighborhood and wanting to have a friend, I said yes. I danced with her group from 2012 to 2020 when the Covid pandemic started. The last event we attended together was her birthday party in February 2020 that Helen Swallow and Claudia Jones put together. I loved having Dovie in my life and will keep her in my heart forever. —Jeanne O'Hayer
I think she was the sweetest and most beautiful person I have ever known. I am happy that she has moved on to whatever might be next for her. —Cynthia Morse
If anyone would care to add further remembrances to this page, please email publicity@eastportartscenter.org.
