Dolores “Dee” Geraldine Wendell

VASSALBORO – Dolores “Dee” Geraldine Wendell, 71, died on June 17, 2026, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, after a long illness. Dee was born on July 13, 1954, in Vineland, NJ, the fourth child of Charles Steven and Anna Marie (Hasak) Zilavy.

Dee grew up in Dorothy, NJ. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Sciences from Villanova University in Pennsylvania then went on to earn her first Master’s Degree in Library Sciences from LaSalle University in Philadelphia. After graduating, Dee took a job teaching at a private Catholic high school. While living in Philadelphia, Dee walked into a JD Sachs Wilderness Outfitters looking for a hiking club in the area. She walked out with a sweater, a pair of wool socks, and David, her eventual husband. After a first date of rock climbing, Dave found out that Dee was terrified of heights and would probably not be sharing in his passion for mountaineering. Dave and Dee began dating, this time on the ground. The two then began their “1,000 Mile Weekends”, as Dave had moved to Maine to start a family surveying business with his brother. Dave and Dee were married on a sweltering August day in 1984 in South Jersey in front of family and friends.

After a honeymoon in Williamsburg, Va., the two moved to Maine. Dee first worked as an administrative assistant at Maine Family Planning in Augusta then began her teaching career at Winslow High School as a science teacher. Dee and Dave welcomed their first child, Daniel, in 1991, and their second child, Dianna, in 1993. Dee earned her second Master’s Degree, this one in Education, from the University of Maine while raising two small children and teaching full time. Dee was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in 1999 and spent the rest of her life battling the lasting effects of chemo and radiation. Dee retired from teaching as a result of her short-term memory loss but was a constant presence through every celebration and accomplishment of her children thanks to her husband. Although she may not have remembered the details, her family will always cherish the time they had with her. Dave fondly refers to all the years after Dee’s brain cancer survival as “bonus years” and loved her unconditionally through every challenge those years presented. Dee was known for her quick wit, creativity, dry sense of humor, and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. During hospital or nursing home stays when asked what staff could get her, she always responded with “a million bucks and I’ll share it with you”.

In addition to her parents, Dee was predeceased by her sister, Virginia “Ginny” Zilavy, and brother, Charles Zilavy. She is survived by her brother, Fred Zilavy and his wife Julie of Vineland, NJ; nieces, Sharlene Barlow and Marlene Bristowe of Vineland, NJ and their kids, her son, Daniel Wendell of Atkinson, her daughter, Dianna Wendell and husband Justice Gibson of Bangor; her husband, David Wendell of Vassalboro; several nieces, nephews and many friends from all around.

Friends and family are welcome to attend Dee’s Celebration of Life Ceremony on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 3 p.m. at Wendell Cottage, 46 Wendell Lane in Belgrade, Maine.

The family would like to thank all of the Eastern Maine Medical Center hospice, palliative care, and nursing staff who made her final days full of peace and love.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.