OLD TOWN – Rachel “Joan” Hoit Dubay, 80, died unexpectedly Sept. 9, 2005, at her home Friday. She was born May 24, 1925, in Auburn, daughter of the late Florine Hoit Breault and Lloyd Hoit. She was retired from the University of Maine where she worked for many years as an administrative assistant in the College of Agriculture. Joan enjoyed reading, music, dancing, opera, knitting, walking, laughing, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and, after years of indifference, the Boston Red Sox. She especially looked forward to traveling across the country to visit her nine children. She was passionately devoted to her loving family and her Catholic faith. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert; her sister, Geraldine Nagle; her children, Mark Dubay and wife, Michelle, Roberta Strout and husband, Robert, Paula Dubay, Christina Dubay, Peter Dubay and wife, Deborah, Susan Strickland and husband, Jeffrey, Monica Dubay and husband, Joachim Grote, Patrick Dubay and wife, Deborah, Juliana Dobinski and husband, Joseph; her 23 grandchildren, Mark, Kathleen, Jennifer, Alisa, Sarah, Jessica, Amanda, Jeremiah, Luke, Caleb, Erica, Rachel, Kara, Joseph, Kristina, Bryan, Melissa, Matthew, Christopher, Andrew, Samuel, Michael and Caroline; and five great-grandchildren. She also leaves many special, close, and lifelong friends. She was predeceased by daughter, Caroline (her angel); and sister, Patricia Ann Hoit. Joan was known for her gifts of grace, generosity, humor, optimism, and youthful spirit. She will be best remembered for her spontaneity, thirst for adventure, and love of family and friends. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Monday, at the Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9 a.m. Tuesday, at Holy Family Parish Old Town. Interment will be at Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta later Tuesday.
RACHEL JOAN HOIT DUBAY
