UNITY – Madeline Dickey Stevenson, 96, passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2023. Born to Alice (Nickerson) and William Dickey, on Nov. 23, 1926, Madeline grew up on a farm in Swanville and graduated from Belfast High School, and then from the University of Maine in 1949. She spent 25 years as an educator teaching high school English and serving as school librarian. She received a master’s in library science from UMaine in ’71 and was an avid reader.

She married Dana P. Stevenson in 1950 and together they raised three children while continuing to work and serve in the community. They built a home in Unity, where Madeline spent many hours in the garden raising vegetables and creating beautiful flower beds to attract pollinators and birds. Madeline loved bird watching and kept a journal of the varieties of bird she spotted. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors on the golf course or swimming in her pool.

As a young girl she learned cooking, sewing, and knitting skills from her family and she used these skills throughout her life. The kitchen in her home always smelled wonderful. She sewed clothes and quilts and knit mittens, hats, and sweaters for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She got together with crafters in town to create handmade items for church fairs. She also enjoyed painting and playing bridge with her friends.

Madeline was an active member of the community. She served as a Representative in the Maine Legislature for five years and served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees at Unity College. She was involved with the Unity Barn Raisers, in Unity Union Church activities and was an active member of the Maine Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for women educators.

She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Dana Stevenson; son-in-law Peter Young, granddaughter Meghan Young; brother Joseph Dickey and nephew Alan Dickey.

She is survived by her son David Stevenson and wife Sonia of Vassalboro, daughter Paula Young and husband Dana Turcotte of Skowhegan and son Jeff Stevenson and wife Brenda of Orono. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Aaron, Jenny, Anthony, Shannon, Elizabeth, and Megan; nine great grandchildren; two nieces; and one sister-in-law.

Special thanks to the staff at Lakewood Continuing Care in Waterville for the kind & compassionate care they provided to Madeline.

The family will hold a graveside service to celebrate Madeline’s life on Oct. 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Unity Pond Cemetery on Kanokolous Road in Unity Maine.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers,

contributions in Madeline’s memory may be made to:

a charity of one’s choice



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