Dorothy Crandell

SCARBOROUGH - Dorothy Crandell, aged 86, died with grace from conditions related to Alzheimers in her home in Scarborough on May 14, 2014. Dorothy was born on April 8, 1928, in Burnley, Lancashire, England to the late Dr. and Mrs. John B. Jackson. Dorothy met her husband Donald when they became neighbors prior to WWII. Donald's father had relocated the family to England to build and manage Platers and Stampers, a large factory which was a division of Ekco Home Products of Chicago. Donald and Dorothy were married in 1947 at the Jubilee Methodist Church in Burnley. They left for the USA in 1948, sailing on the RMS Queen Mary, and moved to Chicago where Donald continued to work for the firm. After three years, Donald was sent to manage a new plant in Geneva, NY. This was where Dorothy and Don began their family in earnest- 5 children in 4 years- two sets of twins were born two years apart. Another company relocation took them to Canton, Ohio until Donald retired and they moved to Scarborough, Maine. Dorothy and Don both loved to travel and were very fortunate in this respect. From 1949 onwards they made regular trips to England as well as traveling to Australia to visit Donald's sister and family, the Far East, India, Central America and Europe. Dorothy also traveled extensively with her daughter Sharon to China, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Russia, Italy, France, and Eastern Europe. Many trips with the whole family were made both to England and across America. Dorothy had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to sing, laugh and dance. She enjoyed the theatre, and music, especially classical, was very important to her. She attended Portland Symphony concerts well into her battle with Alzheimer's. Dorothy also loved to play cards, and she was a particularly keen bridge player. She was a wonderfully creative cook and liked to keep busy with knitting, crafts, sewing, and just helping anyone who needed a hand. Dorothy loved to be outdoors, whether it was working in her garden, walking, or swimming. In her youth she was a champion diver; she gave up diving just three years ago. Dorothy was a very faithful person, a hard worker, and an organizer, and served on many church boards and committees in her life. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sharon Stephenson and husband Roy, of Buxton, daughter Marsha Shoemaker of Scarborough, sons David Crandell and Darrell Crandell, both of South Portland, and Mark Crandell and wife Elizabeth of Westbrook, and four grandsons- John Crandell, Travis Shoemaker, Jason Shoemaker, and Craig Shoemaker. The family is extremely grateful to Marsha for serving as her mother's caregiver for these past 5 years. There will be a celebration of Dorothy's life at Woodfords Church in Portland, Maine on June 14 at 10:00 AM. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of Southern Maine or the Alzheimer's Association of Maine.Online condolences may be expressed below.