WINTERPORT – Kathleen “Kit” Edinger Dexter, 88, died peacefully April 3, 2013, at home with her daughter by her side. Kit was born April 16, 1924, in Stroudsburg, Pa., the daughter of Ella M. Mosier and I. Walter Edinger.
After attending a one room school house in Cherry Valley, Pa., Kit started high school at age 13 and attended Mitchell Junior College in North Carolina and East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, majoring in mathematics. Kit married the love of her life, William B. Dexter, Aug. 21, 1943. They met when Bill, a native of Rocky Hill, Conn., embarked on a youth hostel bicycle trip to Pennsylvania and stayed at a hostel on Kit’s father’s farm. Kit often said that her life began when she married Bill. Bill served in the South Pacific during World War II. Kit and Bill’s first child, Judith K. Dexter, was born the next year. Shortly after Judy’s birth, Bill’s mother brought Kit to live in Rocky Hill, Conn., where she forged a close and lasting relationship with “Mother Dexter.” After the war, Kit and Bill had two sons, Richard W. Dexter, born in Bridgeport, Conn., and William D. Dexter, born in Houston. They raised their family in Monroe, Conn., where they were both active in community activities. Bill retired from General Electric in 1979. Kit and Bill built a beautiful log cabin in Goshen, N.H., a favorite town they discovered when camping with their children. They were fortunate to enjoy 23 more years of vigorous life together. Kit was an intelligent woman and consummate homemaker. Her family was the center of her world and she took great joy in cooking, sewing and making a beautiful, loving home for her husband, children and grandchildren. Kit nurtured her beautiful gardens. Her flowers were lovely, but she was especially proud of her vegetables and fruits. She preserved her harvest to feed her family for the coming year. Kit’s family continues to follow many of her recipes, including those for pies, pickles, and potato salad.
Kit was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, William B. Dexter; and brother, David Edinger. She is survived by a daughter, Judith D. Cuddy and partner, John Harrington; two sons, Richard W. Dexter and wife, Kate and William D. Dexter and wife, Martha; she is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Matthew Cuddy, Scott Cuddy and wife, Kate, Kevin Cuddy and wife, Denali Kemppel, Jennifer (Dexter) DiPietro and husband, Scott, Erin (Dexter) Buikema and husband, Matthew, W. Christopher Dexter, Richard Winslow, Daniel Winslow and Kelly Winslow; great-grandchildren, Jonah Cuddy, Ellis Cuddy, Finnegan Cuddy, Logan Cuddy, Liam Cuddy, Kyle DiPietro, Tyler DiPietro, Sydney Buikema, Abigail Buikema, Ashley Winslow and Dan Winslow; and great-great-grandchild, Grace Jane Buttaro.
Interment will be private in Goshen, N.H. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp CaPella, P.O. Box 552, Holden, ME 04429 or to Winterport Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 724, Winterport, ME 04429. www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
Kathleen “Kit” Edinger Dexter
