Dorothy Emerson Cayford

CORNVILLE – Dorothy Emerson Cayford, 97 years old, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Cornville early Wednesday morning on August 18, 2021. Dorothy “Dotty” was born on August 11, 1924 in Skowhegan. She was the only daughter of Blaine Emerson and Minnie Reed Emerson and the younger sister of Robert “Bobby” Blaine Emerson.

Dorothy spent her childhood in Central Maine and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1942. She married Everett Maurice Cayford (of Cornville) in Denver during World War II. In 1947, they moved to Hilton Hill in Cornville where they settled down, ran the farm and fruit orchard and raised their three children. When Dorothy thought the children were old enough, she decided to go back to work outside the home and was hired as a secretary at the Somerset County Selective Service and, in 1968, at the Skowhegan Town Office. After years of working with Town Clerk and Treasurer, Rosemary Skanes, as her deputy, Dorothy was elected as the Skowhegan Town Clerk and Treasurer, a post she held until her retirement in the mid-1980s.

Over the years, Dorothy and Everett enjoyed traveling in their camper in Maine, New Hampshire and Nova Scotia. They made a good team when it came to buying and renovating houses, including their old farmhouse, their apartment house and a cape in Embden and two camps on Lake Wesserunsett. The family will remember her as an accomplished seamstress, renowned baker, and the hostess of holiday celebrations and birthday parties. She was known for rescuing abandoned and neglected cats and dogs, one pet at a time. Her devoted, tabby cat, Sebastien, aka “Puddy”, brought her comforting companionship during the pandemic and up until her passing.

She was predeceased by her husband, Everett Maurice Cayford, in 2000; her brother, Robert Blaine Emerson, in 2001; her son, Alan Everett Cayford and his wife Joan Hartsgrove in 1967; and her brother “Little Albert” Emerson in 1921. She was also predeceased by her niece, Caroline Cayford Smith in 2007. She felt the loss of nearly all of her cousins and all of her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and friends and neighbors of her generation.

Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Mary Cayford of Cornville and her partner Wallace Seavey of Canaan; and her sons Matthew Bowman and his wife Jennifer (and their children Maximilian and Zoe); and Michael Bowman (and his son Dominic). She also leaves behind her daughter, Susan Davis, and her husband John Jr. “Jack” of Skowhegan and their four children, John Cormier and his wife Renee, Kimberly Sweet and her husband Daniel (and their sons, Zachary and Seth), Alexandria “Alexie” Deschambault and her husband Keith (and their daughter, Natalie), and Jason Davis and his wife Heather (and their three children, Benjamin, Liberty and Cortlynn and her husband Bryan and their children Jonathan and Vivienne.) She is also survived by nieces and nephews (and their families), including Diane Hall, Katherine Holt and her partner James Clark, Raymond Cayford and John Cayford and his wife Rebecca.

We extend our deep gratitude to Dr. Edmund Ervin of MaineGeneral Medical in Waterville for his understanding, kindness and expert medical care for over thirty years until her final days. We also appreciate the caring support of MaineGeneral Hospice and Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County who helped us keep our mother at home and as comfortable as possible during her last week.

To respect Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. On Saturday, August 21, the Smart and Edwards Funeral Home held a family visitation in their chapel and a graveside service at the South Side Cemetery in Skowhegan, with the Reverend Mark Tanner officiating.

To honor Dorothy’s life, we suggest making a donation to your local animal shelter or practicing random acts of kindness by helping those less fortunate.