GORHAM – Dorothy “Dot” Knapp McLain, 89, of Gateway Commons Drive, died peacefully Oct. 6, 2010, with her family by her side at Mercy Hospital, Portland. She was born July 10, 1921, in Amity, daughter of the late John and Ida Knapp. Dot attended public schools in Amity and Houlton, graduating from Houlton High School in 1939. She moved to Portland in 1941, where she met future husband, Robert E. McLain. They were married Aug. 7, 1943, in Austin, Texas, where he was undergoing Aviation Cadet training. When her husband deployed to England for duty as a B-17 navigator, she returned to Portland, where she worked at Casco Bank, during his imprisonment as a prisoner of war in Germany until his return in July 1945. Settling in South Portland, where their first two children: son, Dennis and daughter, Cathy, were born, they moved to Camden in 1951, where their third child, son, Jeffrey, was born. In 1977 they relocated to Scarborough and moved to Gorham in 2000. An active Congregationalist for the past 60 years, she enjoyed the companionship and friendship of the Originals group at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Gorham. She enjoyed her role as contributor to the church newsletter. As a homemaker and parent, her world revolved around her family. She was a Cub Scout den mother, and actively supported all the social and fundraising activities in school, church and clubs. She never missed any of her kid’s sporting events, which spanned more than 20 years. In her own right, she was a very good bowler, and teamed with her husband, enjoyed considerable success in league and tournament competition. The proof was a summer camp filled with trophies. She had a special place in her heart for the Boston Red Sox, a good analogy because they broke her heart for years, but made it all worthwhile when she finally witnessed their World Series triumphs. Her hobbies and interests included gardening, bridge, pinochle, knitting, sewing, cooking and canning. Her pies were so good they caused bidding wars at church auctions. Mrs. McLain was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in January 2005; and by dear friend and sister-in-law, Electa (Lecky) Brown, in December 2009. She is survived by her three children, Dennis and his wife, Sandy, of Annandale, Va., Cathy and her husband, Kevon Huntley, of Southington, Conn., and Jeffrey and his wife, Marla, of Gorham; nine grandchildren, Carie and her husband, Patrick Nelson, of East Boston, Mass., Eric Harman and his companion, Jen Ghidiu, of Philadelphia, Sarah McLain and her husband, Adam Martin, of Silver Spring, Md., Stephanie McLain and her companion, Harlan Geer, of Annandale, Va., Devon McLain of Annandale, Va., Sam McLain of Medford, Mass., Katie and her husband, Sean Conley, of Medford, Mass., Alison and her husband, Hunter Nields, of Brewer and Adam Paulsen and his companion, Ingrid Cook, of St. George; and four great-grandchildren, Jack and Wyatt Nelson, Francis Harman and Seamus Conley; her sisters, Clara Butt of Portland, Phyllis Caminiti of Bristol, Conn., and Mildred Knapp of Portland; many loving nieces and nephews; as well as her beloved cats, Max and Minnie. The family gives special thanks to the nursing staff of Mercy Hospital. Visiting hours will be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at Dolby & Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State St., Gorham, with a celebration of her life 3:30 p.m. at First Parish Congregational United Church of Christ, 1 Church St., Gorham. A reception in the fellowship hall will be held after. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at Hillside Cemetery, Huston Road, Gorham, with the Rev. David Butler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098 or online www.arlgp.org/memorials. For further information and to post online condolences, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com.
DOROTHY ‘DOT’ KNAPP MCLAIN
