Mrs. Doris K. Birchander, age 91 years, of Derry, NH, formerly of Saugus, died Friday Feb. 22, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Oscar E. Birchander, with whom she shared 70 years of marriage. Born Dec. 14, 1921 in Forties Settlement, Nova Scotia, Canada she was the daughter of the late Frank W. and Bertha (Hiltz) Gates. She moved to Peabody as a young girl and graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1939. She married her husband in 1942, moved to Saugus, and resided in Saugus until moving to Derry11 years ago. She went back to school, after her husband retired, and earned an Associate’s Degree in Gerontology, Class of 1982. She was also a participant in the Annenberg PBS Special in conjunction with the University of Hawaii, “Growing Old in a New Age”. Doris enjoyed volunteering and was active in the community when she lived in Saugus. She also enjoyed sewing, loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters Ellen L. Birchander and her husband Chester Blasak of Derry, NH, Sheila A. B. and her husband Robert Schaefer of Derry, NH, one brother M. Frederick Gates of Danvers, and four grandchildren Gabrielle E. Schaefer, Benjamin G. Schaefer, Emma L. Blasczak, Vanna D. Blasczak all of Derry. She was also mother of the late Oscar E. Birchander Jr., and sister of the late Louise Skala. Service Information: A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration, 1 Hood Rd. Derry, NH on Friday March 1, at 11:00 AM, to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Reception will follow at the church. Please make memorial donations in Doris’s memory to Rockingham VNA and Hospice, 137 Epping Rd. Exeter, NH 03833.