Dorothy Alice Brown

OAKLAND – Dorothy Alice Brown, born Dec. 27, 1930, to Gordon and Evelyn Boyles in Fairfield Maine, passed away on Dec, 12, 2021, in Waterville.

She began her education in a one room schoolhouse in Weeks Mills and then North Belgrade until 4th grade when she transferred to Oakland. She graduated from Williams High School in 1948. While in high school she worked after school and Saturdays at Diamond International in the mill. Shortly after graduation she became the private secretary to the mill manager.

Dorothy married Russell P. Brown on March 19, 1950. She continued to work for a few years until her family grew at which time she retired from the workforce. With Russell by her side, they operated the family dairy farm on the Belgrade Road until 1972 when they finally sold the herd. She continued to work side by side with her husband as a team in construction, building many lovely homes in Oakland and across the state.

She was a member of the Oakland Extension and served on the Kennebec County Extension board for several years. She belonged to the United Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and was Chairman of the Ladies Circle for many years. She joined Cascade Grange in 1945 and very active her entire life. She will be remembered as “the pie lady” at the public suppers that the Grange put on. She was also a member of Kennebec Pomona No 4. She was secretary of the Pomona and Cascade Grange for 26 years. Russell and Dorothy were State Youth Directors for the Maine State Grange 8 years. She was program Director of the State Grange for 8 years and State Grange Treasurer for 10 years. She was a member of the National Grange Lecturers Advisory Committee for 4 years. She has been active in both Mt Philip Grange No 545 and Somerset Pomona Grange No 6. Russell and Dorothy enjoyed taking the motor home and seeing the continental US, managing to make to most all of them over the years.

Dorothy was always doing handwork, knitting, crocheting Afghans and sweaters for the family. She made beautiful crewel and counted cross stitch pieces and lovingly made quilts for family members or wedding gifts for friends. She enjoyed spending time with Kelly teaching her the craft of quilting and trips to 5 Guys.

She was predeceased by husband Russell; daughter Susan Church; grandson Andrew Brown; and her youngest sister Norma Rice and Clyde Berry close family friend.

She is survived by her children, son Roger Brown and wife Patricia, daughter Ellen Clarke, son Peter Brown and wife Patricia all of Oakland; seven grandchildren Julie Damico and husband Anthony, Geoffrey Church and wife Elizabeth, Nicholas Jurdak and wife Lynn, Jonathan Brown and wife Lindsey, Brandon Brown and wife Ashley, Ryan Brown, and Katelyn Lovejoy; sister, Patricia Towne and husband Charles. Also survived by many great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews.

Special thanks to the staff at Oak Grove Nursing Facility for taking such great care and listening to her stories.

Services will be private. Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband, Russell, at Lakeview Cemetery in Oakland.

Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St. Oakland, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers,

Dorothy asks that donations be given to the:

Oakland Public Library or

charity of your choice




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