TOPSHAM — Dorothy V. “Dotty” Gardner, 86, died May 8.

Born May 24, 1925, in Auburn, a daughter of Leonard and Blanche Johnson Verrill, she grew up in Minot and Cape Elizabeth and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1943.

At a community dance on Great Island, Harpswell, she met Paul K. Gardner while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy during World War II.

They were married in Portland on Jan. 15, 1945 and lived on Bailey Island before moving to Cape Elizabeth in 1951.  
In 1957 they moved to Wiscasset where they raised their two children.

A homemaker and active member of her community, she was a long-time supporter of the the American Field Service, a member of the Marco Club and volunteered during the summers at the 1812 Jail and the Sortwell Mansion.

She was always trying new things and enjoyed baking, knitting, bird watching and scrapbooking. Each summer she looked forward to camping and vacationing in Canada and Aroostook County.  

A consummate gardener, she enjoyed surrounding her home with beautiful flowers.

Her husband of more than 60 years, Paul Gardner, predeceased her.

Surviving are two children, son Dale L. Gardner and his wife Lauri Andrews of Woolwich, and daughter Kathy Oliver of Wiscasset; two granddaughters, Kellie and her husband John Oakes of Westport Island, and Katie and her husband Ben Leuang of Sarasota, Fla.; step-granddaughter Nichole Laggan of Woolwich; a sister, Roberta, and her husband Gail Frye of Camden; two nieces, Laurel Frye of Camden, and Holly and her husband Christopher Columbus, and their daughter Alexandria of Litchfield, N.H.; and numerous cousins.

Services will be private.  

Memorial donations may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Highway, Edgecomb, ME 04556.

Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick.

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