Dorothy E. (Healey) Deets, 82, passed away April 26 at St. Andrew’s Village, Boothbay Harbor. Born in Portland, the elder daughter of John E. and Millie (Weaver) Matthew, she attended Damariscotta schools, graduating, with honors from Lincoln Academy, Class of 1940. Dorothy worked at Whittemore’s Hardware in Damariscotta for a short time, and then went to Boston where she worked in the office of Coes & Young Shoe Company. She returned to Damariscotta in 1942, working ten years for Judge Ralph Gallagher. In 1952 she began her government service career working for the Department of the Army, which took her to Ft. Meade, Md.; Ft. Miles, Del.; Ft. Richardson, Alas.; Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.; and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., where she retired in 1978. Following her retirement, Dorothy continued to live in Yuma, where she worked part-time for a real estate company until returning to Maine in 1992. She worked at the Newcastle office of Coastal Economic Corporation from 1992-1998. She had a lifelong love for music, especially playing the piano and was active with choral groups while in Arizona. She was predeceased by daughter, Patricia Healey, in 1996. She is survived by sister, Florence Hutchins of Damariscotta. Friends are invited to call 10-11 a.m., Wed., May 3 at the Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Service to honor her 11 a.m. with Rev. Ken Dale officiating. She will be laid to rest at the Bethlehem Cemetery, Damariscotta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Activities Department, Gregory Wing, St. Andrew’s Village, 145 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Arrangements are entrusted to the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.
