Margaret (Hayford) Dodge, 88, of Edgecomb, formerly of Farmingdale, Whitefield, and St. Petersburg, Fla., died June 23 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor.
She was born in Farmingdale on Feb. 3, 1923, a daughter of Elbert and Gertrude Boothby Hayford.
She was raised in Farmingdale and graduated from Gardiner High School, class of 1940. In that same year, “Maggie” married her high school sweetheart, Alpheus Dodge, in Gardiner, and they enjoyed 53 years together until he passed in 1993.
Together they resided in Farmingdale, and Maggie was instrumental in helping her husband build his home construction business and develop Hayford Heights in Farmingdale. In their early years she was the bookkeeper, secretary, and clerk of the works, at the same time raising her four children. Always a positive and caring person, she was happiest when surrounded by her family. In early years the household was a busy center of games, sports, and music, and family, friends, and neighbors were always welcome. She was devoted to her family, and selfless in her unconditional love of them all. Special times were had at Echo Lake, Sugarloaf, and Muscongus Harbor.
In 1974, Maggie and Al semiretired to Whitefield where they enjoyed their small farm and huge vegetable garden. When Al’s health began to fail, they moved to St. Petersburg. Maggie took up tennis in her 60s, and played regularly into her 80s with her tennis “buddies.” Summers were always spent back in Maine where the Hayford clan gathered for their yearly family reunion. She was a wonderful cook and her apple pie and blueberry cake were a “must” for any special occasion. When her own health began to fail, Maggie decided to move back to Maine where she wished to spend her final days. While living at the Edgecomb Green, Maggie easily made friends with staff and residents.
In addition to her husband, Maggie was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Cunningham.
She is survived by her children, Daniel (Donna) Dodge of Augusta, David (Marcia) Dodge of St. Petersburg, Fla., Darrell (Lisa) Dodge of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Diane Dodge Gordon; and partner, Russ Piercy of Boothbay Harbor; beloved siblings, Elbert Hayford Jr. of Whitefield, Olive Washburn of Virginia, Donald Hayford of Pittston, Janice Perkins of Augusta and Nancy Hetherington of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Patrick, Sherrie, Daniel, Douglas, Lynn, Lindsay, Amanda, Michael, Ashley and Kimberly; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit 12-1 p.m., Tues., June 28 at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a celebration of Maggie’s life will be held following visitation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Edgecomb Green, 31 Cross Point Rd., Edgecomb, ME 04556, or St Andrews Hospital, 6 St. Andrews Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04556.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
