Dorothy "Dottie" Mary Melanson
September 21, 1953 ~ January 31, 2025
Resided in:
Falmouth, Maine
FALMOUTH, Dorothy Melanson, 71, passed away on January 31, 2025, at home with her family by her side.
Dorothy was born in Boston on September 21, 1953, daughter of Nora (Ward) and Ralph Goss Stetson Jr. She graduated in 1971 from Catherine McAully High School and in 1980 she graduated from Westbrook College with an associate degree in nursing. She went on to work as a Registered Nurse for the next 40 years, working primarily at the Osteopathic Hospital (Portland) in the Special Care Unit and then at Maine Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was a well-respected and accomplished RN.
A highlight of her career was becoming the chair of the Board of Nursing for the State of Maine. Throughout her life she was always advocating for those in need and fought hard for social justice on many levels. She was a lifelong Democrat and Chair of the party for the state of Maine from 2003-2005. She was tenacious and inclusive, with fierce support of Equality Maine, women’s rights and most recently helped in passing the Death with Dignity Act in 2019.
She was a ferocious reader, at times reading up to 3 newspapers a day and easily over 100 books a year. She loved to frequently visit her favorite bookstore, Letterpress Books in North Deering. She was beloved by many loyal friends over the years for her sense of humor, wit and charm.
She is predeceased by her father Ralph Goss Stetson Jr and her son Michael Lowell. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jay Melanson, mother Nora Stetson of Portland, daughter Nora Fagan (Marc) of Falmouth, daughter Mary Melanson of New Gloucester, Erin Melanson of Orrington, brother Ralph Stetson (Liz) of Gray, sister Susan Grist (Steve) of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania and her grandchildren who loved her as their Dee Dee, Emily, Ella, Jack, Declan and Noah. We all “love you more”, Dee Dee.
Family and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service at 11AM on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Reception and Gathering will immediately follow until 2PM. To view her memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.
Donations in her memory can be made to Equality Maine, PO Box 1951, Portland ME 04104.
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Dottie was a force of nature!
She lived her beliefs and gave 100%
I worked with her in the NICU
Dottie was a wonderful, fierce woman who fought for the underdog and won. She loved her family deeply and unconditionally. She will be missed by many.
I had the privilege of working with Dottie in the NICU. She was a caring, effective nurse who made the unit a better place for the infants. She also was a concerned citizen with the political knowledge to work for better government that helped many. We were all better for sharing in her life.
I lived in Westbrook and remember Dottie being very involved with politics. She was one smart lady.
Caring, professional and always helping others
Sending my sincere condolences to Nora and the family. I worked at Mercy Hospital with Nora and knew Dottie through her.
Love of family, always looking for a way to make the world better
Her willingness to help..
Through her Mom Nora who I worked with at Mercy Hospital
She was my mother ❤️
My condolences to her family. Dottie and I have been dear friends for more than 50 years. She was the first call I made with both good and bad news. I’m not sure how I will survive. Love you and miss you beyond measure.
My good friend for 55 years. Dottie, I treasure memories of times together, through our life changes and moments of celebration with your families and friends who will remember you as a beautiful and loving woman.
I worked with Dottie in the NICU when she moved over from Brighton Medical Center. Dottie was an excellent nurse-smart, prepared, and caring. Dottie joined our book group and shared her love of reading with us all
So sorry to hear of Dottie’s death. She was a ‘force’ among us and her presence will be missed.
I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Dottie personally, but I’ve had the honor of working with her daughter, Erin. After reading her obituary, it’s clear where Erin’s passion for helping those facing homelessness and substance use struggles comes from. My deepest condolences to the family and my heartfelt appreciation for Dottie’s dedication to improving so many lives.
First time I was invited to her home…I remember how hospitable and welcoming she was to her family. I felt loved and part of the family right away. The last time I was there, it was to see her a short time, hug 🫂 me and wish me a nice visit with the children! RIP Dottie. My sincere sympathies to all the family!
I have known Dottie since my son Marc, was engaged to Nora.
I will cherish all the good memories made with Dottie!!!
She was always cheerful ,witty and had a heart of gold. 💛
Dottie always welcome me in her heart and home. It was a privilege to have met her!!! I will always love and miss you. ♥️🫂
I had noticed that Dottie made sure that everyone was taking care of… the little children (grandchildren) and her children and guests before she sat down and relaxed.
Kind hearted , soft spoken, good humour, ready to help others, and loving. 🥰
I am so sorry to read about Dottie’s passing. I am sending my condolences to the entire Stetson family. I am sorry I am unable to attend her services in person.
Dottie Melanson dedicated her life to making the world and the people around her better.
I had the privilege of knowing Dottie for 37 years, though, as it turns out, she had known me for 47. Let me share three brief stories that capture her spirit, humor, and the way she intertwined with my life long before I even realized it.
Story One: I first met Dottie in February 1988. I was a high school senior attending my very first Democratic Caucus in Westbrook, Maine. The Ward One participants sat in a circle when suddenly, an older woman across from me locked eyes and said, “I know you.â€
I, a slightly bewildered teenager, responded with a polite, “um, okay.?”
When the sign-in sheet made its way around, she saw my name and exclaimed again, “I know I know you!”
That moment sparked a friendship that would span decades. We connected socially and politically, working on campaigns together, and from then on, Dottie was a constant presence in my life.
Story Two: Christmas Eve 1991. Dottie hosted a small gathering at her house when we got talking about a group of AIDS activists handing out leaflets and condoms at Midnight Mass at the Portland Cathedral. Without hesitation, Dottie and I bundled up and joined them on that bitterly cold night, passing out flyers in the name of advocacy and awareness.
The next morning, there we were – our picture in the Portland Press Herald. Just another night out with Dottie, fighting the good fight.
Story Three: Fast forward to 2002. A group of us were out at a restaurant when some former Mercy Hospital employees recognized Dottie. One woman approached her and asked, “Do you remember a patient, Paul Doak? Do you know what happened to him?”
Without missing a beat, Dottie pointed at me and said, “He’s sitting right there.”
The woman turned pale and gasped, “No, you can’t be. You are not supposed to be alive.”
To prove my existence, I pulled out my driver’s license. She stared at it, then back at me, and repeated loudly “You are not supposed to be alive!” So loudly, in fact, that the whole restaurant took notice.
Here’s the thing she wasn’t wrong to be surprised. As a child, I was in and out of Mercy Hospital constantly between the ages of 5 and 15. I was a very sick (and apparently memorable) kid. And it turns out, Dottie had been one of my nurses. Even more incredible? Her mother, Nora Stetson, had been one of my nurses, too. That’s how Dottie had known me nearly a decade before I had any clue who she was.
(Also, fun fact: At eight years old, I was already telling the IV nurse which needle size to use. Completely normal behavior, right?)
Dottie cared deeply and fiercely. She made an impact wherever she went, whether through her advocacy, her kindness, or simply by being the kind of person who remembered you, even if you didn’t remember her yet.
My deepest condolences to Jay, Nora, Erin, Mary, and the whole family. Dottie was loved, and she will be deeply missed.
Paul Doak,
Seattle, Washington
Dottie was one of the most professional and best ICU nurses I ever worked with in my nearing 45 years in pulmonary and critical care medicine. I started my career at OHM. She was always a strong patient advocate. Many patients owe their lives and happiness to the care she provided. The nursing profession had no finer ambassador.
Phil Slocum, D.O. FCCP, FACOI, FCCM, FACP
Love you forever
Rest in power my dear friend. The fight continues in your honor.
Dear Cousin Jay and family, our sincere condolences. Dottie’s accomplishments, determination and dedication helped to make our world a better place.
Sincerely,
Jan Lyon Boulay and family”
I have known Dottie since my son Marc, was engaged to Nora.
I will cherish all the good memories made with Dottie!!!
She was always cheerful ,witty and had a heart of gold. 💛
Dottie always welcome me in her heart and home. It was a privilege to have met her!!! I will always love and miss you. ♥️🫂
Dottie and I were at McAuley High School together. Dottie was smart, funny, and a ton of fun to be around. She had a caring way about her that you don’t often see. Kind hearted , soft spoken, good humour, ready to help others, and loving. 🥰 I had noticed that Dottie made sure that everyone was taking care of… the little children (grandchildren) and her children and guests before she sat down and relaxed.
First time I was invited to her home…I remember how hospitable and welcoming she was to her family. I felt loved and part of the family right away. The last time I was there, it was to see her a short time, hug 🫂 me and wish me a nice visit with the children! RIP Dottie. My sincere sympathies to all the family!