LINCOLN – Dorothy Tash Whitten died Oct. 20, 2007, after living a full and rich life of 93 years. She was born May 30, 1914, in Chester, the oldest child of Charles and Geneva Tash. Dorothy attended schools in Chester and Lincoln, and graduated from Mattanawcook Academy. After two years at Farmington Normal School, she taught at Primary School, Lincoln. As a young teacher, she fell in love with her future husband, Evart Whitten. Part of their courtship was conducted through the window of her first grade classroom, as she watched Evart sailing on Mattanawcook Lake. In many ways, she was a traditional wife and mother. Her talents included cooking, among the family favorites were cinnamon rolls and dingbats; gardening and her handiwork, one Christmas she gave a quilt or afghan to each of her children and grandchildren. Yet she was also known for her unassuming courage and her groundbreaking activities. In her church, she was the first president of Pilgrim Daughters and the first woman deacon. When Evart needed someone to climb 30 feet up his amateur radio antenna pole, it was Dorothy who did that. And, at age 77, she boarded a plane alone to visit a friend in Texas. She embraced physical activity, walking and swimming well into her 80s and at age 47 climbed Mount Katahdin, to the top! She loved flowers and was an eager participant in First Congregational Church’s yearly flower shows. She welcomed adventures, which included camping at Mount Katahdin, attending Star Island and Elder Hostel courses, and enjoying two wonderful cross country trips with her sisters. Dorothy brought faith, hope and love to all her relationships. She was always the gracious hostess, whether it was visits by the grandchildren, family holiday dinners or special gatherings with friends. She was also devoted to helping others, visiting the home bound and offering support to those in need. And years after she retired from teaching, she would still hear “Hello, Mrs. Whitten. Do you remember me? You were my third grade teacher.” Most of all, she was full of love. She loved life, her family and friends, her special spot on Mattanawcook Lake, her church, her community at Colonial Assisted Living and her relationship with God. Everyone she touched loved her and, in turn, spread her love in ever widening circles. Dorothy impacted her world in beautiful ways. Dorothy Whitten’s life was a blessing to her family which survives her, including two sisters, Florence and Louise; her daughter, Rita and family, including Andrea, Beth and Phil, and Lynn and Mark and their children, Olivia and Zachary; her son, Charles and his wife, Beth, and family, including Lisa and Erik, and their daughters, Megan and Nicole, and Karen and Mike, and their sons, Connor and Nolan. She also leaves many others who loved her dearly, including her niece, Sonya; and very special friends, Sara Jane, Don and Lorraine. Dorothy’s family expresses deep appreciation to everyone at Colonial Health Care for all the loving care and support given to Dorothy. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Darrell Joiner officiating. Interment will be at Lincoln Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Social Room of Lincoln Congregational Church after the committal service. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Dorothy may be sent to First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 131, Lincoln, ME 04457 for the Music/Christian Education Fund. To leave condolences online, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
DOROTHY TASH WHITTEN
