Dorothy “Dot” A. Ames, 95, of Jefferson, a resident of Country Manor Assisted Living in Coopers Mills, went to her rest on June 13.
Dorothy was born on Jan. 15, 1916 in Windsor, the daughter of William G. and Edith M. (Ware) Smith. She attended school at Erskine Grammar School in Windsor and graduated from Cony High School in 1938. She married Samuel H. Ames on Aug. 26, 1938. They lived in South Bristol until his death in May of 1945.
Dot was left a widow at an early age and raised her three sons in Jefferson. She took in ironing, and watched many of the preschool village children. She took in an infant who was not thriving and raised her for six weeks until she was well enough to go home. When her youngest son completed high school, she went to work for Bond Manufacturing Company as bookkeeper/secretary, until retiring in 1978.
Dot was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson; a member of the Willow Grange for over 60 years, serving as secretary for 25 years; a member of the Young at Heart Senior Citizens since 1978, serving 17 years as their secretary; and a charter member of the Jefferson Woman’s club for 50 years.
Dot loved crocheting, and made afghans for each of her sons’ families, and there was always a new baby afghan for each new grandchild, then great-grandchildren, and most recently for great-great-grandchildren. She has made numerous lap robes for the Country Manor Nursing Home, and The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers for which she received several certificates of appreciation.
In 1999 she assisted her brother, Ralph, in organizing a reunion of people who attended the Erskine Grammar School in Windsor, before it was closed in 1951. It became an annual event for several years.
Dot loved doing the crossword and jumble puzzles in the local newspaper, putting together puzzles and playing games, especially cribbage. When her oldest son, Ken, was visiting for a summer from out-of-state, they set aside one day a week to play cribbage for the day. She also enjoyed watching birds from her front window while crocheting or doing puzzles.
Dot will always be remembered for her good nature, helping hands, love of her family, and life in general. In September of 2008 she moved into assisted living at Country Manor in Coopers Mills.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Samuel Hodgkin Ames in May 1945; sister, Helen Smith Madden in 1993; brother, Ralph Smith in 2003; daughter-in-law, Sadie E. Ames in 2002; and grandsons, Robert Samuel Ames in 1966 and William Alton Ames Jr. in 2006.
She is survived by her sons, Kenneth C. Ames and wife Faye of Arizona, William A. Ames Sr. and wife Nancy of Jefferson and Robert V. Ames and wife Karen of Jefferson; granddaughters, Cheryl Ames Miller and husband Daryl, Carole Ames Colby and Jeanette Ames Colalillo and husband Michael; grandsons, Kenneth Michael Ames and wife Alison, David Alton Ames and wife Michelle and Joseph Samuel Ames and wife Heather; special honorary granddaughter, Marcia Page and husband Michael; step-granddaughters, Kate Robbins and Abbi Robbins; 21 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and another one due in September; nephew, William Smith and wife Jane and their son, Will of Fitchburg, Mass.; and niece, Nancy Senecal and husband Rene of Leominster, Mass.
Graveside committal service 1 p.m., Sat., June 18 conducted by the Rev. Joanne Hilton at Fairview Cemetery in Jefferson. There will be a reception at Willow Grange following the committal service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The First Baptist Church, PO Box 921, Jefferson, ME 04348
Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com.
Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home-Gray Chapel, 207 Windsor Neck Rd., Windsor, (800)660-2111.
