Dorothy Lavena (Shaw) Wilson
WILSON, Dorothy Lavena (Shaw), 98, MARS HILL, February 28, 2016. By Dorothy’s request, there are no visiting hours or church services, but rather a graveside service at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.
MARS HILL – Dorothy Lavena (Shaw) Wilson, 98 years young, wife of the late Aubrey B. Wilson, went home to her Lord on Sunday, February 28, 2016. A lifelong resident of Mars Hill, she was born on November 26, 1917, the youngest of Murray and Bertha Shaw’s eleven children.
At 98, she achieved a longevity greater than anyone else in the Shaw family. Dorothy grew up in King’s Grove and graduated from A.C. I. on June 24, 1936, and her graduation and Senior Prom were both held in Hussey’s Theater. Following high school, she was in residence at her parents’ home, helping her mother with the daily chores.
Dorothy met Aubrey Wilson and the two courted for several years, enjoying visits to each other’s homes as well as attending church services together. Their pastor, Harold Bickford, united them in Holy Matrimony on a Wednesday evening on August 10, 1938 and they honeymooned in Quebec.
Work began on their home in Kings Grove soon afterwards and it was the place where Dorothy would spend the rest of her life. Like many women of her generation, Dorothy was a homemaker and took great pride in keeping a clean home. When asked what she enjoyed the most, she replied, “I loved anything to do with water. I was a scrubber.” Baking was another of Dorothy’s talents and on most Saturdays, her Shaw relatives living in Mars Hill might have dropped by her home and been given a warm loaf of her famous brown bread to eat with their beans. If her brother Glenn couldn’t make it out to King’s Grove, he would find a loaf waiting for him in the front seat of his car.
Dorothy taught herself to play the piano and for years, this talent, along with a sweet soprano voice and her brother Murray’s harmony, was offered to the Lord at church services, weddings and many funerals. She frequently commented that singing hymns in praise was one of her life’s greatest joys.
Many people in Mars Hill will remember Dorothy as the “walking lady”. Until she was in her early 90’s, Dorothy enjoyed a good stroll up Bell Hill or a daily trek to the Blaine Post Office. Although Dorothy was a little speck of a woman, she could walk faster and further than folks half her age.
Dogs held a special place in Dorothy’s life and for many years, a few lucky Chihuahuas held the position of her beloved and pampered pet. They were the children she never had and at her request, the ashes of her last pup, “Sugar”, will accompany her to the grave.
After Aubrey’s death in 1991, Dorothy’s niece, Peggy Milliken, drove up from Houlton every weekend to take her aunt Dot grocery shopping and out to lunch. It was a devotion that Peggy took seriously for over 25 years, having promised her late father, Murray, that she would always be there for Dorothy.
In Dorothy’s final years, poor vision and a tired body prevented her from leaving her home, but as a testament to the friendship she offered others over the years, her friends and family now paid frequent pilgrimages to her home. Dorothy had the capability to make people feel special and appreciated. Whenever a kindness or generous gesture was offered, it was received with humility and gratitude and as those who knew her are well aware, she never forgot anything!
Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Murray and Bertha (Jones) Shaw; her siblings, Don, Della, Jess, Basil, Pat, Glenwood and Woody, Murray; and a brother, Victor and sister, Iva who died in infancy. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband, Aubrey; and her niece, Peggy Milliken, who was like a daughter to her.
She is survived by nieces, Judy Lunn of Presque Isle, Janet Weeks and husband, Carroll, of Bangor; nephews, Bruce Shaw of Cumberland Foreside, Marty Shaw and wife, Joan of Mars Hill, and Glenn and wife, Karen of Topsham. Dorothy also leaves many wonderful friends and neighbors who did so much to enable her to stay in her home until last November. Dorothy stated many times over these past few difficult years that she didn’t know what she would have done without their help.
The family would like to thank the staff at AHC for the excellent care that Dorothy received during the past few months and especially during her last hours, under the compassionate guidance of Dr. O’Neill. She was surrounded by love and prayers right to the end and her moment of passing was in the loving presence of her family and friends, Dr. O’Neill, and nurse, Tammy Leach. To all those who took the time to make Dorothy feel special, be assured it did not go unnoticed.
By Dorothy’s request, there are no visiting hours or church services, but rather a graveside service at a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to her faith community, The Faith Baptist Chapel, 24 Military Road, Blaine, ME 04734 (A handwritten note found in Dorothy’s well worn bible reads: Isaiah 46¬4. “And even to your old age, I am HE; and even to grey hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you.”) Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
