SKOWHEGAN – Dorothy Louise Magoon, 83, of Skowhegan passed away unexpectedly Jan. 30, 2006, due to an automobile accident. Dorothy was born April 24, 1922, on the family farm on the Bloomfield Road, (now Stevens Road) in Skowhegan, the daughter of Bert and Bertha (Libby) Nightingale. In 1946, she married Maurice B. Magoon and together they managed and worked the Sunset Heights Dairy Farm on the Molunkus Road. They raised four children on that farm and she kept them busy, teaching them to work from a young age, as well as many life skills. As a young woman she worked in Bridgeport, Conn. at the brass factory making bullets during World War II. When her brother Wendell was killed in the war, she came home to help her mother and she soon became a 4-H county agent. Dorothy was always active in 4-H. She was a national contestant to Chicago in the 4-H style dress revenue and was a 4-H club leader for one year and was chosen as Farmer’s Wife of the Year for Somerset County. She also was active in grange for 67 years, serving as grange lecture for a term. She was baptized in and a regular attendee of Bethany Baptist Church, formerly on Madison Ave. Dorothy loved organizing family get-togethers and parties. Sunset Heights Dairy, situated on a hill, was ideal for sliding parties for church groups, 4-H groups and extended family fun. Dorothy had a drawer of extra hats and mittens and a cellar way lined with extra snow pants and boots for anyone who arrived unprepared. She kept the oil stove supplied with a large pot of hot chocolate and a huge kettle of hotdogs for the cold, hungry slider’s warmth and refreshment. Since retirement in 1976, Maurice and Dorothy spent most winters in North Fort Myers, Fla. and summers at their camp in Lakewood. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband, Maurice Magoon Sr.; her mother and father, Bert and Bertha Nightingale; and one brother, Wendal Nightingale. She is survived by two sisters, Doris Boynton of Skowhegan and Rita Walker of Anson; two brothers, Basil Nightingale of New York and Llyod Nightingale and wife, Sarah, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dorothy will be greatly missed by her one son, Maurice Jr. and wife, Irene, of Skowhegan; and her three daughters, Louise Magoon of Skowhegan, Sylvie Jordan and husband, Daniel, of Roaming Shores, Ohio and Carrie Banks and husband, Rev. John H. Burlington, of Ontario, Canada. She will always hold a wonderful place in the heart of her eleven grandchildren, Laura Batchelder of Hartland, Amy and Andrea Magoon of North Anson, Andrew, Anthony and Adrian Magoon of Skowhegan, Daniel and Heather Jordan of Cincinnati, Ohio and Seattle, Wash. and John, Daniel and Carrie Ann Banks of Burlington, Ontario. She is loved as “Great Grammy” by five great-grandchildren and special foster grandson. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, at the Faith Baptist Church on Washburn Lane, Skowhegan with a reception following the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Faith Baptist Church, 19 Washburn Lane, Skowhegan, ME 04976 and United Baptist Church, 43 Maple Rd., Madison, ME 04950.
DOROTHY LOUISE MAGOON
