NORRIDGEWOCK – Dorothy Jean Gardea fell asleep peacefully in death early Saturday morning, the 22nd of May at the age of 88, at Mt. St. Joseph Residential Care Facility, where she had been receiving excellent care from the staff on Memory Lane, and more recently, also from Beacon Hospice.

She was born Dorothy Jean Ralich in 1932, and grew up in McKeesport, Pa. She married Frank Gardea at a very young age, and they were married for 43 years. She has been a widow for the past 30 years.

She was the beloved mother of five children: daughter Linda Mantsch of Norridgewock, daughter Kathleen Murzyn of West Homestead, Pa., son Victor Gardea of Hanover, Pa., son Aaron Gardea of Norridgewock, and daughter Rebekah Boyce of Fairfield. Dorothy was also the grandmother of ten; the great-grandmother of ten; and the great-great-grandmother of one.

She loved to laugh, and had a ready smile, and a fun-loving nature that made everybody love being with her.

Dorothy was very affectionate, and she worked very hard at making her home a loving environment for her children, and her grandchildren. She loved painting walls, and sewing curtains, and making things pretty in the home and keeping it clean. She also enjoyed growing flowers, listening to beautiful music, making decorated cakes for special occasions, walking on an ocean beach, taking scenic photographs, especially sunsets, and watching classic old movies. And Dorothy really loved talking to her children and grandchildren about what she learned from studying the Bible for many years.

Since her baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1963, Dorothy had been active in a volunteer ministry until Alzheimer’s disease made that no longer possible. She had a very strong faith in the Bible’s promise that God’s Kingdom would restore paradise to this earth.

Dorothy made a name for herself with her Heavenly Father Jehovah, and it is comforting to know that nothing, not even Alzheimer’s, could separate her from God’s love. It’s been a long goodbye, but we look forward to a joyful celebration when God makes all things new, and the grand resurrection begins. Until then, we know she is in the safest place she could be … God’s memory.

A memorial service will be held via Zoom on Saturday, June 5 at 2:00, (slide show starting at 1:30). The Zoom access information will be announced at an upcoming congregation meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Or anyone interested in attending may contact a family member for the Zoom access information.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

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